President Hopes to Increase Access to AEDs
Standard in Federal Buildings and Airplanes
WASHINGTON, DC- In his recent radio address to the nation, President Clinton encouraged the increased use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in federal buildings and commercial airplanes. The President stressed the key to survival for many heart attack victims is the speed of response. About the size of a laptop computer and, therefore, very mobile, AEDs are relatively easy to use. Someone with moderate training follows the AED's voice commands and delivers a shock if necessary. AEDs are showing up in police and fire departments, hotels, airports, and other public places.
Clinton announced three ways he hopes to increase the access to AEDs by US citizens. He asked the Department of Health and Human Services and the General Services Administration to develop guidelines to equip all federal buildings with AEDs. Additionally, he is proposing that all commercial airplanes with at least one flight attendant carry an AED in their in-flight medical kit. Lastly, he is working with Congress to pass legislation that would "grant legal immunity to good Samaritans who use them [AEDs], whether in public or private buildings."
Beyond the Surface: Rethinking Environmental Hygiene Validation at Exchange25
June 30th 2025Environmental hygiene is about more than just shiny surfaces. At Exchange25, infection prevention experts urged the field to look deeper, rethink blame, and validate cleaning efforts across the entire care environment, not just EVS tasks.
A Controversial Reboot: New Vaccine Panel Faces Scrutiny, Support, and Sharp Divides
June 26th 2025As the newly appointed Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met for the first time under sweeping changes by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the national spotlight turned to the panel’s legitimacy, vaccine guidance, and whether science or ideology would steer public health policy in a polarized era.
Getting Down and Dirty With PPE: Presentations at HSPA by Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski
June 26th 2025In the heart of the hospital, decontamination technicians tackle one of health care’s dirtiest—and most vital—jobs. At HSPA 2025, 6 packed workshops led by experts Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski spotlighted the crucial, often-overlooked art of PPE removal. The message was clear: proper doffing saves lives, starting with your own.
