U.S. federal regulations require a physician to authorize the purchase of defibrillators that do not have over-the-counter status. In addition, most states require an early defibrillation program to have a physician serve as Medical Director to provide oversight.
Although responsibilities vary by state, generally the Medical Director: provides medical consultation and expertise; develops and/or approves protocols for using defibrillators and other medical equipment; acts as a liaison between the early defibrillation program and local EMS agencies; helps determine the implementation plan, such as the number of defibrillators and location of the defibrillators; approves the defibrillation training program and ensures that responders are properly trained; reviews all incidents involving the use of a defibrillator; provides post-incident debriefing support; ensures ongoing maintenance of the program and device to ensure that you are ready for a rescue; notifies local EMS and/or other collaborative agencies as needed.
The oversight physician is typically an emergency physician, cardiologist, occupational health physician, EMS physician, or a physician already on staff at a local hospital, clinic or workplace. Requirements for Medical Directors vary by state, so it is best to understand your state’s requirement before identifying a Medical Director.
As described above, it is very important to have a Medical Director to oversee your program and to comply with state law. Philips can provide you Medical Direction as a service, which includes a network of physicians that can meet the needs of your program in every U.S. state. If you are unable to find a Medical Director on your own, please contact Philips at 1-800-263-3342, for assistance.