The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued statewide guidance for Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERP) following the enactment of Kansas Senate Bill 19, signed into law by Governor Laura Kelly in April.
A CERP is a structured written plan designed to outline critical steps for reducing fatalities from sudden cardiac arrest. These new standards aim to assist schools, workplaces, and community organizations in creating clear and actionable plans for handling cardiac emergencies. Although these guidelines are not mandatory, they offer essential recommendations for saving lives in such situations.
The guidance is informed by recommendations from the American Heart Association and Project ADAM, which focus on enhancing heart health through prevention, education, and advocacy. The new CERP standards include:
- Establishing a dedicated cardiac emergency response team with defined roles.
- Ensuring access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and training staff in CPR and AED usage.
- Collaborating with local emergency medical services (EMS) for effective incident response.
- Developing procedures for responding to suspected sudden cardiac arrests, including calling EMS, providing CPR, and assisting responders.
- Conducting annual drills to maintain readiness.
KDHE also provides templates and additional resources to aid in the development of CERPs, including step-by-step guides, AED placement guidelines, and other training materials.
