Stevens acquires three automated external defibrillators
School makes life-saving machines a campus priority
HOBOKEN, N.J. — Each minute after a heart attack is crucial to whether the victim will survive. Studies have shown that when defibrillation is administered within the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest and the heart is jump started, the survival rate can be as high as 90 percent.
Stevens Institute of Technology became one of the first non-emergency facilities in the area to have automated external defibrillators (AED) on its campus last week with the purchase of three of the life-saving machines. Stevens’ registered nurse, Maggie Cunning, and Stevens’ 21 police officers are certified in the use of the AED units and will be the first response in case of cardiac emergencies on campus. The units are ready for use on campus at the Howe Center, Stevens’ main administration building, and in police vehicles.
"By placing itself at the forefront of such precautionary response measures, Stevens has joined the corporate and municipal sectors in providing this critical service to its customers and community members," says Roger Cole, vice president of Student Development and Services and Quality Officer for Student Life.
When a person goes into cardiac arrest, the rhythm of the heart becomes chaotic. The heart is twitching and not pumping blood. Once blood stops circulating, a person loses consciousness and breathing and pulse stop. An AED sends a jolt of electricity through the heart to restore the heart’s natural rhythm.
An operator of the AED unit only has to do three things to help revive a heart attack victim: turn on the machine, attach the pads to the patient’s chest and follow the instructions given by the AED. The machine assesses if the person’s heart rhythm can be corrected with a shock before it sends the operator a message to push a button to deliver the shock. The AED reassesses the rhythm again and instructs the operator in this manner until the rhythm is detected. The AED even tells the operator when to check for a pulse.
About Stevens Institute of Technology
Founded in 1870, Stevens Institute of Technology is one of the leading technological universities in the world dedicated to learning and research. Through its broad-based curricula, nurturing of creative inventiveness, and cross disciplinary research, the Institute is at the forefront of global challenges in engineering, science, and technology management. Partnerships and collaboration between, and among, business, industry, government and other universities contribute to the enriched environment of the Institute. A new model for technology commercialization in academe, known as Technogenesis®, involves external partners in launching business enterprises to create broad opportunities and shared value.
Stevens offers baccalaureates, master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering, science, computer science and management, in addition to a baccalaureate degree in the humanities and liberal arts, and in business and technology. The university has a total enrollment of 2,150 undergraduate and 3,500 graduate students, with about 250 full-time faculty. Stevens’ graduate programs have attracted international participation from China, India, Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America. Additional information may be obtained from its web page at www.stevens.edu.
For the latest news about Stevens, please visit StevensNewsService.com.
