Philips 2023 Where Is Your AED Survey: Further findings reveal that Australia’s workforce is significantly underprepared for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases
- Nov 8, 2023
- 3 minute read
At a glance
Three in five (58%) Australian workers unaware of the location of the AED nearest their workplace, despite one in five (18%) full time workers in Australia having been in a situation where they, or someone they know, has had to use an AED
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a prevalent global health concern with 90% of patients not surviving, and most dying before reaching a hospital.[1] Approximately 20,000 Australians suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) each year.
Raising awareness of AED locations is vital to ensure more Australians are prepared for when a sudden cardiac arrest could strike
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today released further results of its 2023 Where Is Your AED Survey, with findings indicating that less than two-thirds of the Australian workforce is aware of the location of their closest AED (automated external defibrillator) to their workplace.
New data, released at the close of ‘Shocktober’, the annual awareness month designed to drive awareness of the importance of learning CPR and how to use an AED, and National Work Safety Month, has also found that:
- More than half the nation (52%) is unaware as to whether their workplaces are equipped with an AED; among those who are aware, 11% have no idea of its whereabouts.
- Approximately one in two (48%) report their workplace does not have an AED; 53% for full-time workers.
Conducted across 1,000 non-healthcare professional respondents nationally across Australia, initial findings, announced on World Restart a Heart Day on 16 October, revealed a significant gap between awareness and preparedness: while most Australians are aware of the potential of AEDs to save lives, most are unaware of where their nearest AED is located. Almost three quarters of Australians are unaware of nearby AED locations, despite over 9 in 10 (95%) Australians believing access to AEDs nearby is important to them.
The new data also showed that one in five (18%) full time workers in Australia have been in a situation where they, or someone they know has had to use an AED. This is concerning, given that the latest Transport Opinion Survey conducted by the University of Sydney’s Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies showed an increasing number of Australians favour working from the office rather than at home, with Australian workers on average spending 21% of their work week at home. About 42% of employers have stipulated that workers must return to the office for a set number of days during a week.
Unsurprisingly, approximately 97% of Australians believe there should be increased clear signage to inform people about AED locations in public spaces, and 97% of Australians believe there should be more public awareness campaigns to inform people about AED locations in public spaces.
There is still more action that needs to be taken across the country to help save lives. Approximately 20,000 Australians suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) each year – nearly 20 times the annual fatal road toll. [2] Education is one thing, but people knowing where to find their closest AED is another altogether. Amidst growing industry, government and academic recognition that having AEDs at workplaces play a key role in reducing OHCA deaths, this is a wake up call for more workplaces to improve workplace safety by ensuring clear and easy access to an AED to ensure rapid response in emergencies. We need to drive awareness at all levels to ensure AEDs are easily visible and their locations are known to those regularly in the immediate surroundings.
Greg Page
As a worldwide leader in AED solutions, we believe access to lifesaving support should always be just steps away and easy to use –in the workplace, at home or in public spaces, giving both professionals and non-professionals the confidence to quickly respond to a cardiac emergency at any time.
Matt Moran
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a prevalent global health concern with 90% of patients not surviving, and most dying, before reaching a hospital; raising awareness is vital to ensure more Australians are prepared for when a cardiac arrest could strike. [1]
Other relevant findings include:
- Approximately 30% of casual workers are aware of their current workplace’s nearest AED’s location.
- Only 32% of female workers are aware of the location, although half of male workers (50%) are.
- Male-dominated workplaces are more likely to have an AED on site (55%) compared to female (38%).
- Despite over 9 in 10 (95%) Australians believing access to AEDs nearby is important, more than half (51%) lack confidence in their ability to effectively use an AED to respond to someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
- More than two-thirds (68%) of female workers do not know the location of an AED near to their workplace.
- South Australia and Western Australia are the least likely States to have an AED in the workplace with the survey reporting 36% and 39% respectively.
All States report low awareness of the location of an AED nearest the workplace:
- New South Wales 43%
- Victoria 45%
- Queensland 40%
- South Australia 33%
- Western Australia 39%
All States are lacking in confidence when it comes to respondents’ ability to use an AED:
- New South Wales 16%
- Victoria 16%
- Queensland 18%
- South Australia 10%
- Western Australia 13%
Approximately two-thirds of respondents have never had any AED training:
- New South Wales 56% (significantly lower than the other states)
- Victoria 64%
- Queensland 65%
- South Australia 68%
- Western Australia 68%
However, the vast majority agree workplaces should provide this life-saving skill.
- New South Wales 98%
- Victoria 97%
- Queensland 97%
- South Australia 97%
- Western Australia 99%
Notes to editors:
- Aways follow directions for use according to your AED.
- Call 000 immediately and ask for an ambulance if you suspect someone has had a sudden cardiac arrest.
- An AED will only deliver a shock to a person with a shockable rhythm.
- Follow any verbal or visual prompts displayed on the AED until medical treatment arrives.
- Additional emergency treatment such as CPR and rescue breaths may be required until medical treatment arrives.
Sources
Grasner JT, Lefering R, Koster RW, Masterson S, Bottiger BW, Herlitz J, et al. EuReCa ONE-27 nations, ONE Europe, ONE registry: a prospective one-month analysis of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes in 27 countries in Europe. Resuscitation. (2016) 105:188–95. doi: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2016.06.004; Berdowski J, Berg RA, Tijssen JG, Koster RW. Global incidences of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and survival rates: systematic review of 67 prospective studies. Resuscitation. (2010) 81(11):1479–87. doi: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2010.08.006; Virani SS, Alonso A, Aparicio HJ, Benjamin EJ, Bittencourt MS, Callaway CW, et al. heart disease and stroke statistics-2021 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. (2021) 143(8):e254–743. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000950; Bray J, Howell S, Ball S, Doan T, Bosley E, Smith K, et al. The epidemiology of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Australia and New Zealand: a binational report from the Australasian Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (Aus-ROC). Resuscitation. (2022) 172:74–83. doi: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2022.01.011
Defibrillator access across Australia: the first step in avoiding a chain of fatality; The Medical Journal of Australia, published 31 July 2023.
Philips research was conducted via deciBel Research, in October 2023 across 1,000 non healthcare professional respondents nationally across Australia.
