What is a PAD program?

A PAD program is established by any business or organization in order to provide an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for use for or by the public in the event of cardiac arrest.  The PAD program requires tracking, training, medical oversight, and quality improvement programs for the business or organization posessing the AED(s).  These programs ensure safe and quality care provided to the public by the PAD program.

Any organization, other than certain state certified EMS agencies with AEDs on certified EMS response vehicles, that possesses an AED is considered a PAD under New York State Law.  All AEDs not kept on a New York state certified ambulance or New York state certified EMS first response vehicle are PADs  This means that these organizations must follow all regulations and register with the state by completing a notice of intent and collaborative agreement with our office.  Contact STEMS for information at 716-372-0614.

How do I start a PAD Program?

Any business or organization within our region that is interested in beginning a PAD program should contact STEMS for information on how to do so. There are steps that must be taken to establish a PAD program which are regulated by New York state.

Although the public is now able to obtain an AED for their own person use, an AED which will be used for the public or by the public must be a certified PAD program.  The process is neither difficult nor costly (the only costs involved are purchasing and maintaining the AED and training personnel).  STEMS encourages ALL fire departments (without a certified EMS or ambulance service), businesses, and organizations to establish a PAD program.

The more AEDs available to the public, the higher the likelyhood of saving a cardiac arrest patient's life.  The life saved by a PAD could be your friend's, your family member's or even your own. Contact STEMS for information at 716-372-0614.

Information for current PAD Programs:

If your organization currently has a PAD and you want information on what you should be doing please contact STEMS

Requirements include:

Changes to your PAD program. When changes are made to your PAD program the notice of intent and collaborative agreement must be updated.  Such changes include a change in medical director or emergency health care provider (EHCP), number of AEDs, training used, number of trained personnel, location of PAD(s), or contact information.

Medical director or EHCP. Keep in contact with your medical director or EHCP by sending a report every time the PAD is deployed.   The organization should also contact the medical director or EHCP on a regular basis to obtain new CPR and AED guidelines and ask questions regarding PAD use and training.

Training. Continue training and retraining your personnel as required by the approved PAD training course your program has chosen.

Notify 9-1-1 and EMS. Be sure your local 9-1-1 dispatch center and ambulance service are aware that your organization has a PAD.

Quality Improvement. Participate in the regional quality improvement program whenever the PAD is deployed.  Report PAD deployment online at www.sthcs.org/stems/ by clicking on the report PAD use link at the bottom of the page.

Signs. Post a sign at the main entrance of the facility where the PAD is located indicating its location.  Southern Tier Health Care System provides these signs free of charge to PAD organizations.  If the PAD is located in a vehicle it may be helpful to post a small sign in a window of the vehicle stating that there is an AED onboard.

Maintenance. Do not forget to service the PAD regularly, following manufacturer’s guidelines. The time to find out that the AED batteries have died is not in an emergency.

AED Updates. Be sure your AED(s) is up-to-date with current Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) Guidelines and is capable of defibrillating both adult and pediatric patients.  Contact your AED manufacturer for assistance.

Annual Program Review. Review your entire PAD program and practice your AED deployment process periodically. We recommend that you practice this at least annually or more often as needed.