Fayette Community Unites to Make High Schools Safer

Fayette Community Hospital Donates Defibrillators to Fayette County High Schools

Fayetteville, GA (December 8, 2003) - Fayette Community Hospital (FCH) will donate four automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to Fayette County public high schools during a presentation and luncheon on Thursday, December 11, at 11:30 a.m. at the Hospital in the FCH Community Room C. Dr. Anthony Lawson, FCH Medical Executive Committee, along with Fayette County Board of Education Superintendent Dr. John D. DeCotis, will present the AEDs to principals from McIntosh High School, Sandy Creek High School, Starr's Mill High School and Whitewater High School. Fayette County High School already has an AED on campus.

"Our medical staff has made a commitment to ensure that all Fayette County Public High Schools have portable AEDs on campus," said Dr. Lawson. "Knowing how to respond in an emergency is vital, and the AEDs will provide an early response until EMS personnel arrive."

An AED is a device used to administer an electric shock through the chest wall to the heart. The device has built-in computers that assess the victim's heart rhythm, judge whether defibrillation is needed and then administer the shock. Audible and/or visual prompts guide the user through the process.

"Thanks to the generosity of Fayette Community Hospital, all five of our high schools are now equipped with AED units," said Dr. DeCotis. "We hope that we never have a need to use them, but it is good to know that they are available should a situation arise where someone requires defibrillation."

Most AEDs are designed to be used by non-medical people such as police, firefighters, flight attendants, and others who have been properly trained. But, because the computer does most of the work, any adult should be able to use the device.

"AEDs may be used to treat previously undiagnosed cardiac conditions that can cause heart arrhythmias during the stress of competitive athletics," said Dr Lawson. "Fayette County high schools are often used for community-wide events as well as school based activities. These AEDs are being placed to benefit the entire community."

The Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services is leading the partnership to standardize a county-wide AED program and has made the commitment to support the training of key personnel in the schools to use the equipment. Currently Fayette County is implementing the placement of AEDs throughout county buildings and facilities.

In 1985 the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services was the first in Georgia to implement the use of AEDs in their response vehicles. Fayette County law enforcement officers began to carry automatic external defibrillators in their cars after the County was one of 10 communities nationwide to receive grants for the devices. In 2000, Peachtree City purchased three automated external defibrillators to be placed in its government buildings. It was the first metro Atlanta municipal government to deploy defibrillators.

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Fayette Community Hospital, a not-for-profit subsidiary of Piedmont Medical Center, is located on Highway 54 in Fayetteville. Services of the 100-bed community hospital include: 24-hour emergency department, medical/surgical, critical care, diagnostics, including laboratory, radiology and mammography, respiratory, physical therapy and rehabilitation, outpatient surgery and comprehensive outpatient services and a minor emergency care center. Piedmont Medical Center is the parent company of Piedmont Hospital, Fayette Community Hospital, Piedmont Clinic and the Piedmont Physicians Group