HC one of several county recipients of Parkview AED
FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, April 20, 2004
Parkview Huntington Hospital provided automated external defibrillators to several area not-for-profit organizations. At the press conference, Huntington College vice president of student development, Ron Coffey, demonstrated how to administer the device. Huntington, Ind. " Parkview Huntington Hospital's Community Health Improvement Program approved an initiative that will provide up to $65,145 to purchase and place automated external defibrillators (AED) in several not-for-profit agencies in Huntington County.
Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in the United States, resulting in nearly one million deaths each year, said Darlene Garrett, RN, PhD, Chief Operating Officer Parkview Huntington Hospital. Approximately 50 percent of these deaths are sudden and unexpected and occur outside the hospital setting. Studies show that the automated external defibrillator is an efficient device for delivering defibrillation to persons experiencing cardiac arrest. Its use by traditional and nontraditional first responders has proven safe and effective.
AEDs will be placed at Pathfinder Services Incorporated, Huntington County Sheriff's Department, College Park United Brethren Church, Huntington College Huntington County Community School Corporation, Roanoke Fire Department, St. Peters First United Church of Christ, and Huntington Catholic Schools: St Mary's Catholic School, SS Peter and Paul's Catholic School.
Representatives from the recipient organizations gathered at Huntington College on Wednesday, April 21, for a first look at the AED and what it does. Greg Engle, EMS Manager, Parkview Huntington Hospital, and Pam Allmandinger, CPR Instructor Trainer, American Heart Association/Health Wellness Services, were on-hand to demonstrate the life-saving device which has a digital voice that interacts with the users. Lifesaving equipment comes in small packages these days, and the power of technology even allows for the equipment to give you instructions during an emergency situation, said Garrett.
The mission of Parkview Huntington Hospital's Community Health Improvement Program is to seek partners and develop initiatives to improve the health of the community. In addition to providing healthcare-related grants to area not-for-profit agencies, the program is constantly on the lookout for opportunities to initiate gifts that will positively impact the community's health. This initiative is the result of that proactive approach.
"If we can prevent just one person from dying because of sudden cardiac arrest," emphasized Garrett, "then we will have accomplished the goal of this initiative."
Huntington College is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 60 academic concentrations. USNews & World Report ranks Huntington among the top comprehensive colleges in the Midwest. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington College is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in Huntington, Indiana. The College is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).
