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| Jo Hayes, Larry Allen, Pat Miller, Terry Kenealy, Chris Nichols and Patti Andrews Absent from photo: Ed Sohm, Ida County Emergency Manager, Jared Johnson, HMH Emergency Preparedness Coordinator |
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| Jo Hayes, Jon Weibers, and Chris Nichols
Absent from photo: Ed Sohm, Ida County Emergency Manager,
Jared Johnson, HMH Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, and Patti Andrews, Public Health Nurse
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The Ida County Healthcare Coalition recently donated four
automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to each of the Ida County School
Districts – OABCIG in Ida Grove and Ridgeview in Holstein. A request to the Coalition for this potential
life-saving equipment came from Athletic Director, Larry Allen, of OABCIG. After it was discovered that there was
similar interest from Ridgeview, the Coalition, which consists of Ida County
Public Health, the Ida County Emergency Manager, and Horn Memorial Hospital,
made a request to the state for the equipment.
The state approved the purchase of 8 AEDs through the hospital’s
designated Hospital Preparedness and Emergency Preparedness grant funds. The total for the 8 AEDs and associated
equipment was a little over $15,000.00.
Chris Nichols, Horn Memorial Hospital CEO, stated, “This
reflects great communication and coordination between the schools and the
healthcare entities in Ida County. I’m so pleased that the Coalition could
play a role to facilitate this positive step in the health of our communities.”
According to the American
Heart Association, 23% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are
"shockable" arrhythmias, or those that respond to a shock from an
AED, making AEDs in public places highly valuable. The use of an AED can increase the chance of
surviving a sudden cardiac arrest by 70%.
Communities with comprehensive AED programs that include CPR and AED
training for rescuers have achieved survival rates of nearly 40% for cardiac
arrest victims.
OA-BCIG Shared Superintendent, Terry Kenealy, added, “The
Ida County Healthcare Coalition recognized the importance of having automated
external defibrillators in our school buildings to help address cardiac arrests
in our communities and potentially save lives. We are sincerely grateful for
this life-saving gift to our schools and appreciate the cooperative spirit that
exists between the Horn Memorial Hospital, Ida County Community Healthcare
Coalition and the school district.”
Jon
Wiebers, Superintendent of Ridge View Schools, also commented, “We want to
thank the Ida County Health Care Coalition for the efforts in securing the
AEDs. This is another great example of how school, community and business
partners working together can provide necessary and vital services to our
schools.”
