Think Safe’s Unique Solutions Integrator Approach to Workplace Emergency Preparedness

Think Safe recently developed an integrated solution for one of the nation’s leading providers of accounting, tax and consulting services. This new client has more than 6,000 employees and associates in about 75 cities nationwide. The client’s goal was to have a best practice first aid program to include Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and appropriate first aid supplies that ensured a high-level of readiness at all times yet was user-friendly and affordable. The company’s office suites are low risk of injury workplaces but a specific goal was to address the need to respond to the nation’s biggest killer – Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) – which claims the lives of over 300,000 people annually.  Key decision makers at the company were well aware of some key information that OSHA had released on the topic. ” Employers should consider use of AEDs at their work sites to reduce the time to defibrillation with the goal of improving survival.”

These offices are now fully equipped to deal with any medical illness or injury-related emergency situations with their investment of proper first aid equipment, AEDs, and site specific employee training. This program and client showcase how multi-facility organizations can implement affordable employee benefit programs and safety practices that offer improved emergency preparedness across a common culture without human resources drain or capital drain.   The average cost per employee for the entire program was less than $2 per employee per year over a 5 year period (the costs drop to pennies per employee after that).

Will they ever get a return on this minimal investment?  Well, is saving even one life enough of a return?  One employee shared a story of an event that occurred at their office,  “An employee was walking by a tax partner’s office when she saw him slumped over his desk. It looked like he was sleeping so the co-worker went into his office and found him unresponsive.  The co-worker immediately initiated the Emergency Response Plan (ERP) and an AED was retrieved by a tax secretary.  The secretary used the AED and revived the tax partner (shock was advised by the AED) while someone else called 911.  The tax partner was very fit and in good shape so it was a surprise to everyone when they found out he had a cardiac arrest.  The tax partner survived thanks to the AED machine and the quick action by the employees. The paramedics and doctors said the partner would likely have not have survived, if the defibrillator had not been used at the office and they had waited for EMS to arrive.”

In choosing Think Safe the above medical-related first aid emergency could be addressed.  However, Think Safe was picked as the provider of choice because they offered a unique, innovative, simple & user-friendly, and affordable AED and first aid program solution for other emergencies that might occur at the workplace.  Think Safe is the manufacturer and patent owner of the First Voice Emergency Instruction Device (EID) and this “first aid tablet” can guide employees through any major or minor first aid emergency and giving reminders or when to: call 911, check scene safety, use personal protection, provide treatment and how to or what not to do,  and what to do after the incident or during for record keeping.

Each client location implemented the following First Voice equipment and services (see picture):

Easy to access medical-related emergency equipment including AED, first aid kit, Emergency Instruction Device (EID) and signage.

 

AED in carrying case with adult 4 yr pads, 4 yr battery and full 10 year warranty

Alarmed AED wall-mounted cabinet (helps aid in notification of AED use; response needed when alarm sounds)

“V-shaped” Wall sign  (8×10” faces) for above AED cabinet to help improve visibility of AED location from any angle

Tamper Evident AED Fast Response Scissors/Razor Kit with use instructions

Laminated AED Use Protocols (attached to AED case for easy reference during AED use)

Think Safe’s Patented First Voice Emergency Instruction Device (EID) (automated first aid tablet, http://www.think-safe.com/FirstVoice/EmergencyInstructionDevice/tabid/285/Default.aspx)

50 Person OSHA/ANSI Compliant First Aid Kit with Pocket Refill System  (comes with tamper-evident seals)

 

To ensure legal protection and ongoing program compliance Think Safe also provided the following services:

Online & Blended Certified Training for CPR/First Aid/BBP (ILCOR/ECC/AHA/Red Cross/National First Aid Science compliant) that comes with Course Completion Tracking & Includes Refresher Training & Tracking

Training DVD or online training link for “Brand of preference” AED picked (HR Dept keeps this DVD and uses corporate key code for free AED training to provide any new employees or for use at employee meetings as a refresher training tool)

Think Safe documents provided for workplace postings help communicate key information. (Included with Site Administrator Toolkit)

Site Administrator Tool Kit to include all AED Program Communication Tools (AED Site Assessment assistance (where to put AED), Company-wide AED information distribution & Email notice templates, CPR/AED posters, AED policy template, Emergency Response Plan (ERP) documents & integration, EMS Notification/Registration, “AED Equipped” location stickers to remind employees of AED location inside office, inspection tag system, AED location thumbnail decals for evacuation/exit charts at facilities, Free AED prescription, and more…)

Online First Voice Manager AED Program Management Software for Auto Notification Reminders, Tracking & Reporting on AED consumables (pads, battery) and any first aid or other safety program supplies or training www.firstvoicemanager.com (works on any mobile device or PC with internet access)

Mobile compatible AED Inspection Tool with Continual 24/7 AED Maintenance Log Redundancy & Backup (proves AED was maintained if there is an incident involving use and someone does not survive; legal protection)

State/Local AED Owner Civil Liability Immunity Law Compliance & AED Program Medical Director Oversight, as needed

Equipment Recall Advice, Guidance and Warranty Servicing

Free AED Post-Event Review Technical Support & Incident Assistance

Free replacement pads/battery after any AED use event

Phone Technical Support or Online Technical Support

Contact us and mention this blog post and we’ll make sure you get a free site assessment and Site Administrator Toolkit information. 

Let Think Safe provide you more information on this unique, effective solutions integrator approach to workplace emergency preparedness, AED programs, or first aid programs.  Please  fill out the form below,email us or call us at 319-377-5125. 

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Think Safe, Unique Life-saving Iowa Company, Receives Patent

US Patent 8,647,123B1 Issued to Iowa Company and Founders Paula Wickham & Annette Carter

Think Safe, a Cedar Rapids, IA based company and homegrown Iowa business that started from scratch, based upon the idea of an Iowa citizen, received its first patent in early 2014.  The idea formed what is now known as an Emergency Instruction Device (EID), a technology product being marketed all over the US and in other countries. On February 11, 2014, US Patent8,647,123 was issued and assigned to Retrac, Inc. (now doing business as Think Safe Inc. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and company founders and inventors.

Emergency Instruction Device (EID)

The EID patent is a major milestone for Think Safe, which was originally founded in 2004 centrally focused on the idea of the EID.  The EID is often called a CPR & First Aid Assistance device, first aid tablet or talking first aid book and is the only dedicated technology device on the market today that offers first aid and CPR instructions to minimally trained or even untrained people during workplace or public rescue situations.  Key details of product functionality include American Heart Association compliance to cognitive feedback device recommendations, as seen here:  http://www.firstvoice.us/Products/FirstAidCPRAssist/tabid/790/Default.aspx.

The idea behind the EID  product was conceived by Annette Carter, a former flight nurse for St. Luke’s Hospital, to bring resources and knowledge during critical gaps in time between when a trauma occurs and when advanced medical help arrives.  Annette, during her long career of pre-hospital trauma care, saw how such a device could  help make a difference. Today, the Think Safe logo is “Making Minutes Matter” to emphasize the foundation values that remain important to the company going forward.

Dr. Donald Linder with the Emergency Instruction Device outside his hospital in Cedar Rapids, IA

The EID and responder kit systems that can be bundled with the EID provide not only essential and organized medical supplies,  but also audio and text instructions to coach people through emergency situations until help arrives.  Annette’s vision became a reality with the help of several co-inventors listed on the patent: Paula Wickham , Kirk Dighton, and Troy Mundt, who all served various roles in pre-market research or market introduction and sales or distribution of the EID.  The device has been beneficial during many lifesaving situations and testimonials shared by clients, and has had key endorsements in its short lifespan to date (click here for more details). 

The EID or “first aid tablet” can guide people through any major or minor first aid emergency and giving reminders or when to: call 911, check scene safety, use personal protection, provide treatment instructions including information on what not to do,  or what to do after the incident, including key tips on information record keeping or scene cleanup procedures.  Since its’ invention, the EID functionality has been converted to software that can work with any computer or technology device with WiFi access or downloaded software (ResQr) developed by Think Safe.  However, the EID continues to be Think Safe’s signature technology product and the company is proud of the lives it has helped to save as well as the awards we have received that showcase the innovation of the company.

First Voice Systems include an EID and other equipment such as an AED or first aid kit

The EID is often paired with various specialty first aid or responder kits or an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), depending on risks that exist at the client’s organization or workplace.  Think Safe is an established manufacturer, wholesaler, training services provider, and overall integrator, bringing clients the products and services packages that they need or want to help mitigate risks, decrease panic, and provide confidence during emergency, first aid, or medical illness situations.  The device even allows for users to switch languages mid-instruction for translation of instructions to any other languages also on the EID.  In the United States, the device is sold with English and Spanish as the key default languages.

Think Safe has other patents that are in process and has already filed continuations on the existing patent that protects additional product developments and other unique features of the technology offering.  “You can expect to see more patents issued to Think Safe as the company matures and our product offerings mature and grow in popularity and change based upon customer needs or desires”, states Paula Wickham, Think Safe President.

Think Safe is committed to using technology to develop, manufacture and provide innovative products and solutions which improve training and access to CPR, First Aid, and other essential care during emergency situations, setting new standards for comprehensive emergency readiness and response.  We manufacture innovative products for first aid technology and are a major wholesaler for devices like our First Voice Emergency Instruction Device (EID) and all brands/makes/models of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), including services that make things easier for our dealers and customers.  Think Safe’s products are available under the First Voice product line brand name, ResQr, or RescueMate brand name in various countries today.  Think Safe primarily sells the First Voice product line through established distributors or dealers and continues to selectively add new dealers, based upon geographic area or industry focus of the dealer.

Check out our http://www.think-safe.com or http://www.firstvoice.us websites for more information on the products outlined on this blog post or other products and services developed by Think Safe to include: First Voice AED online web-based program management software and First Voice Compliance Management System Software (SaaS offerings);  First Voice AED program medical oversight services;  First Voice or American Heart Association First aid & CPR training (online Elearning, blended learning, or in-person instruction); and other safety-related products and services.

Think Safe won a SAXCIES award for “Best New Safety Product” for the Emergency Instruction Device (EID) invention

For more information on the Think Safe EID, check out the product on our website or fill out the form below!

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American Heart Association Studies on Cognitive & Feedback Aids

2010 New Guidelines

What does the American Heart Association recent guidelines update have to say about cognitive aids and feedback devices?

A quick summary from 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines, Supplement to Circulation Volume 122, Issue 18, Supplement 3 from November 2, 2010:

1) Part 5: Page S697, “real-time CPR prompting & feedback technology such as visual and auditory prompting devices can improve the quality of CPR.”

2) Part 16: Page S920, “non-responders most frequently cited panic and fear of hurting the patient as reasons they were unable to perform.”

3) Part 16:Page 921, “even brief training increases the willingness to use an AED and improves performance.”

4) Part 16:Page 922, “short video instruction combined with synchronous hands on practice is an effective alternative to instructor-led basic life support courses.”

5) Part 16:Page 923, “ECC courses should be part of a larger continuing education and continuous quality improvement process.”

6) Part 16:Page 923, “Checklists or cognitive aids may be considered for use during actual resuscitation.”

7) Part 16: Page 923, “CPR prompt and feedback devices can be useful as part of an overall strategy to improve the quality of CPR during actual resuscitation.”

To find out more about current technology and first aid or CPR checklists, cognitive aids and feedback devices available today and distribution opportunities, contact First Voice at 888-473-1777 or complete the following form and we will be happy to contact you.

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First Voice EID upgrades NOW AVAILABLE!

Talking First Aid Book / First Aid Calculator

ECC / AHA & National First Aid Science Upgrades were released in late 2010.  For more information on this see our blog post from October:

https://thinksafe.wordpress.com/2010/10/19/the-2010-guidelines-for-cpr%E2%80%A6/

Think Safe’s First Voice EID is ready for CPR/First Aid upgrades to be sent to you, our dealers and customers!

Part No. DC01: The $29 upgrade is sent in a datacard and can be easily inserted/changed by following the user instructions sent with the upgrade.  

Dealers please contact us for further information on how to provide your customers easy upgrades (email:mmaly@think-safe.com).

The First Voice EID is the only Emergency Instruction Device / Talking First Aid Book / First Aid Calculator on the market for business use, containing all first aid & CPR AHA manual current protocols.  The device is easy to upgrade through an accessible dataport on the back of the device as first aid & CPR protocols do change every 3-5 years through scientific studies and advances in first aid / CPR science.

2010 updates implemented in 2011 on the EID protocols include:  CPR updates to include compression depth & C-A-B changes for trained rescuers and hands only CPR for untrained rescuers, education & recognition of gasping vs. normal breathing, and advised AED use for infants.  First Aid updates include additional heat stroke advice, jellyfish sting updated care,  clarification on aspirin use for heart attack symptoms, both US and Canadian Poison Control contact information, bleeding wound care updates (elevation, pressure points, tourniquet, compression bandage use), additional information on when to suspect head, neck or spinal injuries, and snakebite first aid care updates.

Please contact us today for your upgrade:

(email:pwickham@think-safe.com or 888/473/1777)

SafetyMate Trade-in: $50 Value!

Or, if you have an outdated SafetyMate model

NOW is the time to upgrade to First Voice:

$50 REBATE on ANY SafetyMate exchanged

& First Voice EID (AVU5001) ordered!

Expires:  3/31/2011

AHA Updates Guidelines for CPR and ECC in 2015

The American Heart Association (AHA) has released new guidelines and best practices for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency cardiovascular care (ECC). These guidelines have been updated to improve rescue time and make the process easier.

Although the changes from the 2010 guidelines are, for the most part, minimal, they emphasize such important things as cell phone use in an emergency, clarified rates of compression during CPR, etc.

Over the next months, we will work diligently to update materials, training courses, and products to reflect these changes so that we can continue being a comprehensive, reliable resource for your safety needs.

For a quick breakdown of the AHA CPR and ECC guideline updates, or other questions, simply fill out the form below, and we will be happy to provide you with the information. 

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New Emergency Instruction Device (EID) Launches in Europe

Think Safe is proud to write about our 2010 European EID that is now available in Dutch and European English.  For Please see:  http://bit.ly/RescueMate for full details.

European EID – RescueMate

This EID has everything you need and is European & ECC compliant:
– first aid, AED and CPR training and emergency use
– fire training
– evacuation training
– communication training

A full occupational health tool for any workplace or organization!

COMING SOON!  German and French languages

For more details on how to distribute this product, please contact us at 888-473-1777 or complete the form below and we will be happy to contact you.

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