TriStar Summit
September 20, 2016

HERMITAGE, Tenn. (September 20, 2016) — TriStar Summit Medical Center presented an automated external defibrillator (AED) system to Hip Donelson on September 1, 2016.

Having an AED on-site for quick use if someone experiences sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a potentially life-saving step until emergency medical services arrive. An AED is a computerized medical device that checks a person’s heart rhythm and – if needed – can be used to shock a person’s heart. The automated system helps a rescuer through the steps of using the AED with voice, text and other visual prompts.

Parks and public places, like Hip Donelson Farmer’s Market are among the many public facilities that now have an AED system in an easily accessible location for use in a cardiac emergency. "Hip Donelson is grateful to TriStar Summit Medical Center for this donation, which will help us better serve our community not only at the Hip Donelson Farmers Market, but at all of the community events that we participate in each year. Having this device at our fingertips, should a cardiac event happen in our presence is paramount to saving lives," Frank Trew, Founder / President Hip Donelson, Inc.

According to the American Heart Association, SCA is the leading cause of death in the United States. About 360,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital each year.

“As a member of our community who sees the impact of sudden cardiac arrest on a regular basis in our hospital, we certainly recognize the importance of having an AED available in public spaces like our local parks” said Jeff Whitehorn, CEO of TriStar Summit Medical Center. “We are honored to donate this AED system to Hip Donelson and the families and communities that visit.”

TriStar Summit also donated replacement adult and pediatric pads to support ongoing maintenance needs for the devices.

For more information about TriStar Summit or a free physician referral, please call TriStar MedLine at 615.342.1919 or visit TriStarSummit.com.