The Michigan Departments of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and Education (MDE); American Heart Association (AHA); Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA); and Michigan Alliance for Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young (MAP-SCDY) have awarded 105 schools in Michigan with the MI HEARTSafe School designation which recognizes schools that are prepared to respond to cardiac emergencies.
Huron, Pioneer and Skyline high schools are among the 105 schools with the designation.
“Many sudden cardiac deaths that claim the lives of children and young adults could be prevented through screening, detection, and treatment,” said Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical executive of MDHHS. “Appropriate medical response within three to five minutes is crucial for increasing the chance of survival, which is why I’m pleased to see so many of our schools taking vital measures to prepare and address this health issue.”
In order for a school to receive a MI HEARTSafe School designation, it must perform at least one cardiac emergency response drill per year; have a written medical emergency response plan and team; have current CPR/AED certification of at least 10 percent of staff, 100 percent of head varsity coaches, and 50 percent of P.E. staff; have accessible, properly maintained and inspected AEDs with signs identifying their location; and ensure pre-participation sports screening of all student athletes using the current physical and history form endorsed by the Michigan High School Athletic Association.
Washtenaw County schools include:
Father Gabriel Richard High School (2015-2018)
Greenhills School (2015-2018)
Harvest Elementary School (2014-2017)
Heritage Elementary School (2014-2017)
Huron High School (2015-2018)
Liberty School (2014-2017)
Luther C. Klager Elementary (2015-2018)
Manchester Middle School (2015-2018)
Manchester High School (2015-2018)
Pioneer High School (2015-2018)
Pleasant Ridge Elementary School (2014-2017)
Saline Middle School (2014-2017)
Saline High School (2014-2017)
Skyline High School (2015-2018)
Woodland Meadows Elementary School (2014-2017)
Between 2003 and 2012 in Michigan, there were 2,590 young individuals between 1 and 39 years of age who died of sudden cardiac death. Of those, 214 were between 5 and 19 years of age. This is the third year of the MI HEARTSafe Schools program in Michigan. In the first two years of the initiative, 162 schools were previously designated as MI HEARTSafe Schools and prepared to help reduce the number of sudden cardiac deaths in our youth.
Public Act 12 of 2014 requires all schools (grades kindergarten to 12) to have a cardiac emergency response plan in place. This MI HEARTSafe School designation recognizes the 267 school buildings that have taken steps above and beyond to prepare to respond in the event of a cardiac emergency, and is awarded for a period of three years. For the list of designated schools, visit https://migrc.org/Library/HeartSafeSpotlight.html.
Schools that meet all of the requirements will be able to apply for the MI HEARTSafe School designation each year.
“We are so proud to support Michigan’s HEARTSafe schools,” said State Superintendent Brian Whiston. “Ensuring schools are prepared for sudden cardiac emergencies through planning, training, and life-saving AEDs is an important part of having safer learning environments for students, staff, and the community.”
For more information about the MI HEARTSafe Schools program, go to www.migrc.org/miheartsafe.
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