On June 28, Fairfield Medical Center presented Kumler Collision & Automotive of Lancaster, Ohio, with the first Heart Safe Business Accreditation in the nation.
The accreditation, which is a project of the Snider Community Heart Watch at FMC, is granted to businesses that meet specific criteria designed to ensure the safety of customers and staff who may suffer sudden cardiac arrest. Kumler met the four criteria necessary to achieve accreditation.
“Becoming a Heart Safe Business takes effort, commitment and courage,” said Bob Williams, supervisor of FMC’s cardiovascular services and co-chair of the Snider Community Heart Watch. “I have had the privilege to work with Kumler during this process, and their staff should be proud of the efforts put forth to meet these requirements.”
The criteria for the accreditation include:
- All employees must receive a risk of sudden cardiac arrest self-assessment to attempt to identify those who may carry a higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest and to encourage those at risk to discuss their concerns with a physician.
- 100 percent of staff leadership must be trained in CPR, and at least 25 percent of the workforce must also complete training.
- AEDs (automated external defibrillators) must be located throughout the building so that they are no farther than 90 seconds away from any location.
- Leadership and employees must develop and conduct medical emergency drills at least once per quarter. Drills include recognition of unresponsiveness, notification of EMS, implementation of CPR and utilization of an AED.
“The Heart Safe Business Accreditation program provides a structure for medical emergency drills and proper AED placement and training within a business,” said Misty Newsome, manager of Health & Wellness Services at FMC and coordinator of the Heart Safe Business Accreditation program. “Kumler has been a great partner and a role model for employee health and safety.”
Added Williams, “Being able to see the changes firsthand, I am convinced that Kumler is prepared to provide care for a sudden cardiac arrest victim. Our community is very proud, and we need to encourage other businesses to follow their lead.”
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