June 30, 2011 - AED Bill Signed Into Law
AED Bill Signed Into Law
On Wednesday, June 8, 2011, Governor Cuomo signed an important piece of
legislation into law that will improve public health and safety of New Yorkers
statewide.
Beginning January 1, 2012,
ALL dental offices in New York State will be required
to have Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) on-site.
Dentists in New York are already required to be trained to use these devices.
AED’s save lives and now over 10,000 dental offices across the State will have
them available.
NYSDA’s support of AEDs in dental offices is a result of the indisputable
evidence that they greatly improve outcomes for people experiencing cardiac
arrest.
While dental offices are not a site where cardiac arrest is likely to occur, as
many people frequent dental offices, the availability of an AED provides
additional protection for those in a dental office who may experience an
unanticipated cardiac event, regardless of the cause.
The importance of early defibrillation cannot be over-emphasized:
- The prognosis of pre-hospital cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation
is dependent on the first few minutes following the arrest
- The availability and use of AEDs has resulted in a marked increase in the
effectiveness of pre-hospital CPR in saving lives
- It is estimated that an individual’s chances for survival decreases by 10% for
each minute that defibrillation is delayed
- Early defibrillation has been shown to be more effective than CPR alone
- The national average for survival after sudden cardiac arrest is 5-6% without
immediate defibrillation
- In metropolitan areas, the survival rates are actually lower, 1-2%, leading
many communities to equip first responders with AEDs
- Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) programs have raised survival rates up to
60%
This bill was sponsored by Senator Martin J. Golden and Assemblyman Herman D.
Farrell, Jr. and supported by groups from around the state including the
American Red Cross, the American Heart Association and the Regional Emergency
Medical Services Council of the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys.
If NYSDA members have questions that are not addressed in the FAQ, contact NYSDA
offices at 1-800-255-2100 or send an email to info@nysdental.org.
NYS Dentists can get a discounted AED with
Integris Equipment to help comply
with the new AED law in the most cost effective manner. Integris Equipment has
units starting at $850 and they can provide the forms and documentation needed
to claim a $500 tax credit from New
York State when you file the NY IT-250 form (for individuals) NY CT-250 (for
corporations). There are many models of AEDs with varying features on the
market, and the staff at AED Professionals can advise you as to which AED is
best suited for your needs and at the lowest long term cost.