Atrus Develops Customized AED Registry for Nevada Project Heartbeat

Boca Raton, FL–Atrus, Inc., creators of the National AED Registry™, has contracted with Nevada Project Heartbeat to provide a customized version of its automated external defibrillator (AED) registry to the Project.

Created in 2006, the goal of Nevada Project Heartbeat (NPH) is to improve the survivability of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in Nevada. It was the first state-wide Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) program in the United States. The Project has been raising citizen awareness of SCA and providing places of business, public agencies and other organizations with the tools and training needed to make AEDs accessible and affordable.

In March 2009, the Nevada Legislature enacted NRS 450B.610, which requires the Health Division of the Department of Health and Human Services to establish and maintain a database containing certain information concerning automated external defibrillators in the state. With their registry, powered by Atrus’ registry software, Nevada Project Heartbeat is providing an infrastructure that allows the owner of an AED in Nevada to register the defibrillator with the Health Division.

NPH Vice President Michael Schwartz says, “Nevada Project Heartbeat and its affiliates are committed to facilitating a state-wide PAD umbrella program supporting organizations, municipalities and individuals with their local defibrillation and training networks.”

Schwartz is the EMS Battalion Chief for North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District.

In addition to meeting Nevada’s statutory registration requirements (NRS 450B.610), the Registry will generate regular e-mail reminders for users to periodically check the device to ensure it is in working order. Registered users will also receive reminders to replace electrode pads and batteries that are nearing expiration date. The registry is free to users.

“The State of Nevada EMS office has supported Nevada Project Heartbeat since its inception.” says Patrick Irwin, the state’s EMS program manager. “The partnership has proved itself as AEDs have been distributed statewide and successfully used. This next step and partnership with Atrus supports the original intent of legislators in Nevada to track the use and readiness of AEDs across our great state without a cost to our tax payers. Our residents and visitors will now be protected at a Next Generation technology level and we are positioned to use that technology as it changes and as new opportunities present themselves.”

In making the announcement Atrus President and CEO Elliot Fisch said, “Nevada Project Heartbeat is a leader in state-wide PAD programs. Providing this free service to AED owners will go a long way to ensure that the devices are maintained correctly and will be operationally ready when and if needed.”

Atrus’ AED Link™ system can make registered AED information available to 911 dispatchers so they may guide a caller to the nearest AED in the event of a cardiac emergency.

“Currently publicly available AEDs are rarely used in an emergency because people can’t see them and 911 dispatchers are unaware they are nearby,” Fisch remarked. “We look forward to working with 911 agencies in Nevada to close this missing link in the chain of survival.”

About Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States, killing more than 300,000 people annually. Compact and portable, AEDs are designed to be used by laypeople with little or no training, delivering a shock that can save a victim’s life before paramedics arrive.