PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Pittsburgh-based restaurant chain Eat'n Park has installed Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in some of its 76 locations, the company announced.
Executives at Eat'n Park consulted with NewHouse Medical for the process of purchasing and installing their AEDs. NewHouse Medical is a brand-independent solutions provider that assists in the design, development and implementation of public access AED programs.
Public access AEDs are used to treat sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), a condition caused by abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmias.
Eat'n Park Director of Safety and Security, Bill Moore, initially installed AEDs in 3 restaurant locations as a test. Positive employee and customer reactions encouraged Moore to expand the AED program company wide.
"Employee reaction has been great. Even though you do not need to be certified to use an AED, many employees are requesting certification. Just installing AEDs has really increased our safety awareness," said Moore.
To notify Eat'n Park customers of this added health service, the company has posted signs in the entrance of installed restaurants stating "This restaurant is equipped with an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)." On the sign is a picture of a red signature Eat'n Park Smiley face cookie in the shape of a heart.
"Eat'n Park is setting a great example for the rest of the country. Public access AEDs should be available at every restaurant and other public gathering places," said Vince Mosesso, Jr., MD, FACEP, associate professor of emergency medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, medical director prehospital care, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, medical director, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association.
