School Health - Safety and Injury Prevention
Automated External Difibrillators (AEDs) and CPR
Statute:
Senate Bill 7 80(R) 2007 requires that the Education Commissioner establish a pilot program that administers a cardiovascular screening, including an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram, to sixth grade students at participating campuses.
In Texas an average 50 students die each year from sudden cardiac arrest. To reduce these numbers, the Texas Legislature allocated $1 million to TEA to develop a Cardiovascular Screening Program.
Background Information:
TEA assembled a task force to develop the parameters of the pilot program, resulting in a Request for Proposal seeking interested parties to administer the pilot program. A collaborative formed by Championship Hearts Foundation, Austin; Children’s Cardiology Associates, Austin; UT Southwestern Medication Center, Dallas; Children’s Medical Center, Dallas; and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston in February 2008.
The Early Cardiovascular Screening Pilot initiated screening in July 2008 and is on track to include some 9,450 students by late May 2009. The intent is to screen for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and other potential causes of sudden cardiac arrest.
As a result of overwhelming administrative support, parental engagement, and program promotion, high participation rates at all screenings has been a challenge for this voluntary program. Highly skilled and credentialed medical professionals are required for this type of high-volume screening program. Maintaing consistency in data collection, interpretation, and delivery of results to participants is crucial. Despite the challenges, this service is valued by school personnel and the health community, and has garnered overwhelming support of families of students who have been screened.
Results:
As a result of the screening, to date, 57 students have been referred for further medical evaluation based on preliminary results provided by the initial screening.
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Statute:
Senate Bill 7 80(R) 2007 requires that each school district and open-enrollment charter school make available at least one Automated External Difibrillator (AED) at each campus. The 80th Texas Legislature appropriated a total of $9 million in fiscal year 2008 for reimbursing the costs associated with the purchase of these devices.
Requirements:
Each campus in the district house at least one AED, as defined by Section 779.001, Health and Safety Code. An AED must be readily available during any University Interscholastic League (UIL) competition held on the campus. Districts must also make all reasonable efforts to ensure that an AED is available at each UIL athletic practice held at a district campus. Districts should cooperate with the UIL to determine the extent to which an AED must be available at UIL competitions held at a location other than a district campus.
At least one district employee who has been trained in the use of the AED must be present at each UIL athletic competition or practice. Districts must develop safety procedures for districts employees and students to follow in responding to a medical emergency involving cardiac arrest, including administering CPR and the use of an AED.
Each school district, open-enrollment charter school, or private school campus that did not have an AED location at a campus as of September 1, 2008, and purchased an AED device on or after September 1, 2008, was eligible to receive reimbursement. For information regarding availability standards, review the University Interscholastic League (UIL) website.
The reimbursement amount was limited to the actual cost of the AED, up to $1,475. Funds were available on a first-come, first-served basis. Three rounds of funding were available. The first round was for school districts, the second round included school districts, open-charter schools and private school campuses. The third round was also all inclusive.
During the first round of reimbursements, 418 school districts and open-charter school campuses applied for and were reimbursed a total of $4,357,351.07.
During the second tier of reimbursement, 316 school districts and open-charter school campuses applied for and were reimbursed a total of $2,767,055.34; and 211 private schools applied for and were reimbursed a total $487,704.63.
The third tier of reimbursement is underway at this time. This will expend all funds allocated by the legislature for this purpose.
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Statute:
Senate Bill 7 80(R) 2007 requires that each school district shall annually make available to district employees and volunteers instruction in the principles and techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Requirement:
The following staff members MUST participate in the instruction in the use of an automated external defibrillator and must receive and maintain certification in the use of an AED from the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or a similar nationally-recognized association:
- school nurse and assistant school nurse
- athletic coach or sponsor
- physical education instructor
- marching band director
- drill team director
- cheerleading coach
- student athletic trainers
The Early Cardiovascular Screening Pilot initiated screening in July 2008 and is on track to include some 9,450 students by late May 2009. The intent is to screen for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and other potential causes of sudden cardiac arrest.
The State Board of Education included elements relating to instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an AED as part of the essential knowledge and skills of the health curriculum.
These requirements apply to private schools if the private school received funds for the purchase of an AED. Private schools should coordinate with Tea in adopting policies on the use and training in a manner consistent with the requirements outlined in SB 7 80(R) 2007.
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Curriculum Division
healthandsafety@tea.state.tx.us
(512) 463-9581
Page last modified on 8/8/2012.