Modeling a novel hypothetical use of postal collection boxes as automated external defibrillator access points.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Optimizing placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) can increase survival after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Using postal collection boxes (PCB) as locations for AEDs could potentially enhance accessibility and streamline maintenance. In this study, we modeled the hypothetical effects of deploying AEDs at PCB locations.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that PCB-AEDs would increase AED coverage overall and in residential areas, and reduce the distance from OHCA to an AED.

Methods

AEDs in Pittsburgh, PA were identified by the University of Pittsburgh Resuscitation Logistics and Informatics Venture (n=747). PCB locations were obtained from the United States Postal Service (n=479). OHCA locations from 2009 to 2014 were obtained from the Pit

SUBMITTER: Srinivasan S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5730075 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature