American Osteopathic Association Calls for Automated External Defibrillators in Schools

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Jul 21, 2012, 02:55 ET

CHICAGO, July 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Concerned about the safety of young athletes, members of the American Osteopathic Association's (AOA) House of Delegates voted today to encourage schools to have readily accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

The majority of cases of commotio cordis — a sudden cardiac event occurring after a blow to the chest — happen during youth or high school competitive sports, such as baseball or football. AEDs may help save lives while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive on the scene.

"Unfortunately, there is only a 15% survival rate from a commotio cordis event due to lack of early recognition of the severity of the problem," says Stanley E. Grogg, DO, an AOA board-certified pediatrician and an associate dean of clinical research and a professor of pediatrics at the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine in Tulsa. "The accessibility of an automated external defibrillator at schools and sporting events can buy young athletes time until medical professionals arrive on the scene."

Currently, 13 states, including Illinois, have legislation requiring schools to have these devices. Five states have pending legislation and three states have legislation "encouraging" schools to have an AED.

About the House of Delegates
The AOA's House of Delegates, comprised of more than 500 delegates representing osteopathic state medical associations, specialty societies, interns, residents and students from throughout the country, meets annually in July to set organizational policies and elect new officers.

About the American Osteopathic Association
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) proudly represents its professional family of more than 100,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students; promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools; and has federal authority to accredit hospitals and other health care facilities. More information on DOs/osteopathic medicine can be found at www.osteopathic.org.

SOURCE American Osteopathic Association