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2000 SESSION

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HB 1049 Registration of automated external defibrillators; immunity.

Introduced by: Eric I. Cantor | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS PASSED: (all summaries)

Registration of automated external defibrillators; immunity. Clarifies that immunity from liability relating to registered automated external defibrillators includes, when in compliance with the applicable law, registrants of the equipment, trainers of individuals who operate the registered automated external defibrillators, individuals who order the equipment (which is classified as a Schedule VI device in Virginia and requires a controlled device order under federal law and regulation), and the properly trained operators of the registered automated external defibrillators. In addition, physicians who supervise registered automated external defibrillators are provided some limited immunity when performing these responsibilities without compensation. This bill also clarifies that "compensation," as used in the Good Samaritan law, does not include the salary of any person who registers an automated external defibrillator, trains the individuals who operate the registered automated external defibrillators, orders the automated external defibrillators which will subsequently be registered, or operates a registered automated external defibrillator at the scene of an emergency. Other syntactic changes reinforce the concept of and requirements for registration and fees of the machines. Automated external defibrillators are technological medical wonders combining heart monitors and defibrillators which are being stocked on airplanes and in many places where the public gathers. These computerized machines are capable of recognizing the presence or absence of ventricular fibrillation or rapid ventricular tachycardia; determining, without intervention by an operator, whether defibrillation should be performed; and, if defibrillation is determined to be necessary, automatically charging the machine and delivering the proper electrical impulse to an individual's heart. In other words, these machines are used to prevent deaths during heart attacks. Training is required to operate this equipment; however, complex medical knowledge is not necessary to use this life-saving device.


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