| Summary of Requirements | ||
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Physician | There must be a supervising physician licensed in Tennessee. Each time an AED is used for an individual in cardiac arrest, the entity shall require that the AED use is reported to the supervising physician or the person designated by the physician and to the department. |
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CPR/AED Training | Expected defibrillator users must receive American Heart Association CPR and AED or an equivalent nationally recognized course in defibrillator use and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. |
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EMS Notification | Any person or entity who acquires an automatic external defibrillator must register the existence and location of the defibrillator with the emergency communications district or the ambulance dispatch center of the primary provider of emergency medical services where the automatic external defibrillator is to be located within thirty days of acquisition. |
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Maintenance Program | The defibrillator must be maintained and tested according to the manufacturer’s operational guidelines. |
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Notification of Use | Any person who renders emergency care or treatment on a person in cardiac arrest by using an automatic external defibrillator must activate the emergency medical services system as soon as possible. |
| Good Samaritan Protection | ||||
| Rescuer | Purchaser | Property Owner | Physician | Trainer |
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| Any person, including those identified in subsection (b) of this section or §§ 63-6-222 or 68-135-201, who in good faith and without compensation renders emergency care or treatment by the use of an automatic external defibrillator shall be immune from civil liability for any personal injury as a result of such care or treatment or as a result of any act or failure to act in providing or arranging further medical treatment where the person acts as an ordinary reasonably prudent person would have acted under the same or similar circumstances.
The immunity from civil liability for any emergency care provided pursuant to §63-6-218(b)(1) and (b)(2), shall include the licensed physician or medical authority who is involved with automated external defibrillator (AED) site placement, the person or entity who provides the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED site placement, the person or entity who provides the CPR and AED training, and the person or entity responsible for the site where the AED is located. |
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| Laws / Legislation | ||
| Reference |
Date | Summary |
| HB 1633 | 2011 | This bill is an amendment to SB 1433; it still requires that a school must place its first AED in a location that may be accessed readily from any area of the school, but is amended to include, “particularly from those areas of the school that are used for physical education or activity.” |
| SB 1433 | 2011 | This bill requires that a school must place its first AED in a location that may be accessed readily from any area of the school, which may include those areas used for physical education or activity. |
| SB 2505 | 2010 | Requires automated external defibrillators in public schools and addresses their placement. |
| HB 2775 | 2009 | Encourages that AEDs be placed in public schools. |
| SB 281 | 2003 | Requires registration of an AED within 20 days of acquisition. |
| HB 1218 | 1999 | Revises immunity protection to include licensed physician involved in the program, the property owner, the purchaser, and the trainer. |
| HB 2970 | 1999 | Establishes procedures and protections for use of an automated external defibrillator. |
The information posted on our website is not intended as legal advice and may contain inaccurate or incomplete information. We encourage you to contact your state representative should you require more information.