Alumna Donates Devices Intended to Help Save Lives of SCA Victims
COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE via COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Mar 5, 2001--Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT), announced today that Ohio State University has received 20 of Medtronic Physio-Control`s LIFEPAK(R) 500 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) as a charitable donation for use on the university`s Columbus, Ohio, campus. The donation creates the most comprehensive university public access defibrillation (PAD) program in the nation. Such programs are key components in successfully treating sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and creating ''heart-safe'' communities.
The 20 LIFEPAK 500 AEDs were donated by Ohio State Alumna Dorothy J. Fenburr, a longtime benefactor of the University, to help combat SCA, one of the nation`s leading causes of death. SCA is a complete loss of heart function in which little or no blood is pumped to the rest of the body and is a major health concern worldwide. According to the American Heart Association, about 220,000 individuals die from SCA outside a hospital setting in the United States alone.
''This wonderful gift will allow non-medical professionals to be trained in how to use defibrillators, thus providing more opportunities to save lives,'' said University Police Lieutenant Dennis Hollern. ''Mrs. Fenburr`s gift also allows Ohio State University to have one of the first police departments in Central Ohio with a defibrillator in each police cruiser.''
The LIFEPAK 500 AED is an easy-to-use, portable device about the size of a laptop computer that improves the odds of survival after SCA. The device can be used by minimally trained first responders to administer defibrillation therapy in the form of electrical stimulation to the heart, often restoring normal heart function. Voice and text prompts give step-by-step instructions to the lay responder about what to do if defibrillation is needed.
''We believe these are fantastic devices for this environment,'' said Ron Michalec, Ohio State`s Chief of Police. ''On any given football Saturday, Ohio State can have its share of cardiac arrest emergencies, and we believe that the potential for saving lives will be enhanced once the AEDs are put into use. There is just no question that these devices enhance the first responder tool-chest for lifesaving.''
The 20 LIFEPAK 500 AEDs will be placed in strategic locations around the OSU campus, including the Jerome Schottenstein Center, Larkins Hall, the Wexner Center for the Arts and other public gathering sites. Eight of the 20 units will be deployed in campus police vehicles. The gift includes user training and is valued at more than $60,000.
Studies have shown that victims of SCA are statistically more likely to survive if they can be defibrillated within the first five minutes after the onset of an attack. Survival rates drop about 10 percent with each passing minute but can be as high as 90 percent for victims defibrillated during the first minute after collapse. Because emergency medical responders in many communities are unable to reach the victim this quickly, the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross have encouraged wide availability and rapid use of AEDs by other trained responders.
Last year, both houses of Congress approved, and President Clinton signed, the nation`s first legislation recognizing the life-saving role played by AEDs. The Cardiac Arrest Survival Act (CASA) required the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop recommendations and guidelines for AED placement and use in federal buildings nationwide and in post offices and other buildings housing federal agencies. The new law also augments existing state ''Good Samaritan'' laws by ensuring federal liability protection for users and purchasers of AEDs.
According to estimates by Frost and Sullivan, more than 50,000 AEDs were purchased last year and have been deployed nationwide in police cars, commercial airliners, airports, hotels and casinos, sports arenas, high schools, manufacturing plants and other public places.
Medtronic Physio-Control, headquartered in Redmond, WA, is a unit of Medtronic, Inc. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Medtronic, Inc., is the world`s leading medical technology company, providing lifelong solutions for people with chronic disease. Its Internet address is www.medtronic.com. Further information is available at www.aedhelp.com.
Any statements made regarding the company`s anticipated financial results and regulatory approvals are forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties, such as those described in the company`s Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended April 30, 2000. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.
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