Case Studies
Life-saving AED Pilot Program
Design Feature
Type of project
Placemaking
State
Queensland
Location
Urban
The Life-saving AED Pilot Program was designed to evaluate the placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public open spaces. It was led by the City of Moreton Bay in collaboration with Urban Play.
The primary goal of the program is to save lives by increasing the accessibility and use of AEDs in public spaces, with the potential to double survival rates of sudden cardiac arrest. The 12-week pilot program was a trial to assess the risk of vandalism and theft of the AEDs in public spaces.
The primary goal of the program is to save lives by increasing the accessibility and use of AEDs in public spaces, with the potential to double survival rates of sudden cardiac arrest. The 12-week pilot program was a trial to assess the risk of vandalism and theft of the AEDs in public spaces.
Supporting Cardiac Emergencies in Public Places
For patients in cardiac arrest, combining CPR and defibrillation can increase survival rates by up to 70% [1]. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are designed for use by bystanders with no medical training; increasing the public availability of these vital technologies has the potential to drive better cardiac emergency outcomes.
The Life-saving AED Pilot Program led to AEDs being distributed across nine built environment locations in the City of Moreton Bay, Queensland. In addition to making AEDs more widely available, the project sought to assess the risk of vandalism and theft associated with placing these devices in public spaces.
AED placements were determined based on the age and health considerations of nearby residents and proximity to a nearby hospital. All nine locations were home to vulnerable populations and high volumes of foot traffic, providing new opportunities for timely intervention, reduced fatalities and improved community health outcomes in the event of a cardiac arrest. The City of Moreton Bay’s Maintenance Team monitored the security of the devices on a weekly basis.
The Life-saving AED Pilot Program led to AEDs being distributed across nine built environment locations in the City of Moreton Bay, Queensland. In addition to making AEDs more widely available, the project sought to assess the risk of vandalism and theft associated with placing these devices in public spaces.
AED placements were determined based on the age and health considerations of nearby residents and proximity to a nearby hospital. All nine locations were home to vulnerable populations and high volumes of foot traffic, providing new opportunities for timely intervention, reduced fatalities and improved community health outcomes in the event of a cardiac arrest. The City of Moreton Bay’s Maintenance Team monitored the security of the devices on a weekly basis.
Project team
The City of Moreton Bay
Urban Play
Urban Play
Project Cost
N/A
Health Value
Increasing public access to AEDs can:
- support increase public awareness of cardiac arrest symptoms and treatment, contributing to a healthier, more informed local population
- increase the likelihood of someone in cardiac distress receiving lifesaving measures before medical help arrives
- significantly increase the chance of survival after cardiac arrest
- improve overall public health outcomes.
Economic value
Immediate access to an AED can:
The project has also:
- reduce the health care costs associated with sudden cardiac arrest, which has an estimated GDP loss of around $2 billion annually 2
- reduce the need for long-term hospital and intensive care stays, thereby minimising health system and individual costs.
The project has also:
- raised the profile of the City of Moreton Bay as a leader in health care innovation
- created future funding opportunities for health and safety projects.
Environmental Value
N/A
Social value
The presence of AEDs in public places:
- Fosters a sense of community responsibility and cohesionEmpowers everyday citizens to provide simple, lifesaving measures to someone experiencing a cardiac emergency
- Reinforces the City of Moreton Bay’s commitment to public wellbeing and safety
Use value
- This project has increased access to and use of AEDs by the general public.
- AEDs are designed for easy use, even by untrained bystanders, via clear voice and visual instructions.
- Public availability of AEDs creates a network of informed citizens who can support each other in times of crisis.
Footnote:
[1] St John Ambulance of Australia, 2017, ‘7 Shocking truths about a defibrillator’, https://www.stjohnvic.com.au/news/7-shocking-truths-defibrillator, accessed 16 Aug 2024
[2] Paratz E, Smith K, Ball J, Stub D, Liew D and La Gerche A, 2021, ‘The economic impact of sudden cardiac arrest’, published in Resucitation Journal, Vol 163 June 2021 p49-56, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2021.04.001
[1] St John Ambulance of Australia, 2017, ‘7 Shocking truths about a defibrillator’, https://www.stjohnvic.com.au/news/7-shocking-truths-defibrillator, accessed 16 Aug 2024
[2] Paratz E, Smith K, Ball J, Stub D, Liew D and La Gerche A, 2021, ‘The economic impact of sudden cardiac arrest’, published in Resucitation Journal, Vol 163 June 2021 p49-56, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2021.04.001
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