HEARTSafe Communities exist in many areas of the US and abroad. HEARTSafe helps communities save lives by improving response and care for cardiac arrest victims.

1. Traffic Signs and the
HEARTSafe Community Program-
HEARTSafe Program-
An Innovative
Approach to Saving Lives?
David B. Hiltz, NREMT-P
David.hiltz@heart.org
Cell: 401-524-0858

3. OBJECTIVES
•Review case for support
•Explain describe HEARTSafe
•Examine unique program attributes
•Expose attendees to HEARTSafe concept
•Inspire and enable proliferation
•Be a part of improving outcomes

5. “Sudden death from ischemic heart disease has been described as
the most important medical emergency and 'since 60 to 70 percent
of sudden deaths caused by cardiac arrest occur before
hospitalization, it is clear that the community deserves to be
regarded as the ultimate coronary care unit”
American Heart Association (1980). Standards and guidelines for cardiopulmonary
resuscitation and emergency cardiac care.
Journal of the American Medical Association, 244, 453-509.

6. “Although technology, such as that incorporated in automated
external defibrillators (AEDs), has contributed to increased survival
from cardiac arrest, no initial intervention can be delivered to the
victim of cardiac arrest unless bystanders are ready, willing, and
able to act. Moreover, to be successful, the actions of bystanders
and other care providers must occur within a system that
coordinates and integrates each facet of care into a comprehensive
whole, focusing on survival to discharge from the hospital.”
(Circulation. 2010;122[suppl 3]:S640 –S656.)
© 2010 American Heart Association, Inc.

7. “Many more people could potentially survive out-of-hospital
cardiac arrest if regional systems of cardiac resuscitation were
established.”
(Circulation. 2010;121:709-729.)
© 2010 American Heart Association, Inc.

8. “To maximize the chance of a successful resuscitation outcome,
CPR must be started as soon as possible after a victim
of SCA collapses. Improved survival rates depend on a public
trained and motivated to recognize the emergency, activate
EMS or the emergency response system, initiate high-quality
CPR, and use an AED if available.”
(Circulation. 2008;117:000-000.)
© 2008 American Heart Association, Inc.

9. Gosh…I used to
know CPR….. He looks like a
lawyer…
Someone else
will help…right?
Huh?
I think he is Can I catch a
breathing… disease just by
looking?

11. The “incentive”

12. Massachusetts HEARTSafe
•July 2002
•Population and criteria based
•Basic criteria (4 link COS)
•More than 50% of 351 cities and towns designated

13. Heartbeats Explained
By assigning Heartbeats, the aggregate total can be
adjusted based on total population. This makes it possible
to “scale” for communities of all sizes.
Heartbeats also permit “weighting” for certain criteria such
as citizen CPR.

14. HEARTSafe Ireland
•Modeled after the Massachusetts program
•Broader application

15. Maine HEARTSafe
•Criteria and population based
•Initiated in 2006
•Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum designations
•Over 50% of population living in designated
communities
•Some promising research

17. Connecticut HEARTSafe
•Established in 2006
•Massachusetts program identical twin
•Exponential growth
•New resource CD/DVD

18. HEARTSafe Communities

20. Rhode Island HEARTSafe
•Most comprehensive criteria to date
•EMD*
•Citizen CPR
•LEA-D
•Early defibrillation strategies
•EMS 12 lead ECG and ACLS education
•Established 2010
•Trial project complete: 2 municipalities designated

22. Dutchess County HEARTSafe
•Criteria based
•Initiated in 2007
•Targets
•40 community and municipal organizations designated

24. Ulster County HEARTSafe
•Initiated 2008
•Identical twin- Dutchess County
•Recreated “Bob” video

25. Allina HEARTSafe
•Started in 2001
•First designation in 2009
•Criteria and population based
•3rd designation

26. Danbury Hospital
•Employee campaign
•First HEARTSafe region in Connecticut
•Enabling early defibrillation
•CPR education for care givers of at-risk

27. “Defibrillators headed for police cars”
JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED:
The Warwick Police Department
recently added seven AEDs (automated
external defibrillators) to the
department's supply of life-saving
equipment. Seen at yesterday's press
conference are from left: Dr. Paul
McKenney, Captain Raymond Gallucci
Jr., Col. Stephen McCartney, Dr. Joseph
Spinale, chief of cardiology at Kent
Hospital and the president of the Kent
HeartSafe Foundation and Mayor Scott
Avedisian.
September 30, 2010

28. Causal relationship…Where is your data?

29. Don’t let the absence of evidence spoil
a perfectly good idea!

30. Observations
•Power of the signs
•“Uptake” and proliferation
•Many common elements
•Evolution
•Adaptability
•Ease of integration
•Supportive charactersistics

31. So, you want to start a HEARTSafe Program?

32. “Open up the can”

33. Gather your best players

34. Get Health onboard early

35. Establish the criteria!

36. Don’t forget…

37. Design your assets

38. Launch!

40. Your questions are invited!

41. And have some fun along the way!
PLAY BLOOPER ROLL FROM CONNECTICUT PSA VIDEO SHOOT