Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Automated External Defibrillation Program

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, roles, equipment, and procedures in the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department Automated External Defibrillation Program.

Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

Portable device that analyzes a patient’s heart rhythm and, if indicated, delivers an electric shock to treat sudden cardiac arrest.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Manual chest compressions and ventilations that maintain blood flow and oxygenation during cardiac arrest.

Healthcare Provider CPR/AED Course

Department-sanctioned class that certifies operational personnel in CPR and AED use; must be completed every two years.

AED Coordinator

Person designated to oversee AED compliance, maintenance, data downloads, and serve as the primary contact for AED issues at the station or department level.

AED Daily Check Sheet

Form #1 used to record the daily inspection of each AED’s condition, electrodes, battery, and supplies; retained for a minimum of three years.

EMS Operational Program Manager

Individual responsible for overall administration of the Departmental AED Program, including device approval and appointment of the AED Coordinator.

Departmental EMS Program Medical Director

Primary medical advisor to the Fire Chief on all AED matters and the authority who approves CPR/AED training courses.

COMAR 30.02.01–03

Section of the Code of Maryland Regulations that governs EMS provider operations, under which the county’s AED Program functions.

Maryland Medical Protocols for EMS Providers

Statewide clinical guidelines that dictate how EMS personnel, including AED operators, provide patient care.

American Heart Association Basic Life Support Standards

Evidence-based resuscitation guidelines that form the foundation for the county’s AED procedures.

AED Downloading

Immediate transfer of incident data from the AED after every use—whether or not a shock was delivered—for quality assurance review.

Electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR)

Digital report completed after each cardiac arrest incident documenting assessments, treatments, and patient response.

Operational Guidelines (AED)

Department rules requiring the AED to accompany responders whenever cardiac arrest is possible and to be used strictly according to protocols and manufacturer instructions.

Layperson Facility Public Access AED

AED placed in a non-EMS public setting; its location is tracked in the departmental database by the AED Coordinator.

Preventive Maintenance (AED)

Scheduled inspections and repairs performed according to manufacturer recommendations to keep AEDs operational.

Lifepak 500 Biphasic / Lifepak 1000

Medtronic/Physio-Control three-button biphasic AED models approved for use by Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department.

AED Approved Modems

Specific external fax/data modems (e.g., Hayes Accura 288, USRobotics Sportster 28.8) authorized for downloading data from Lifepak 500 AEDs.

MIEMSS

Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems; sets statewide medical protocols that the AED Program must follow.

EMS Quality Assurance Office

Department section that must be notified immediately of significant incidents, protocol violations, or relevant trends involving AED use.

Basic Life Support (BLS) Enhancement

Concept that rapid defibrillation with an AED supplements standard BLS care to maximize a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.