Hillcrest Care Center, Assisted Living receive AED machine from Faith Regional Health Services

LAUREL — On Wed., Dec. 11, Jenny Simmons, RN, FRHS Cardiac Care Coordinator presented an AED to Joan Thies, RN, Director of Nursing at Hillcrest Care Center and Assisted Living in Laurel. An AED, or automated external defibrillator, is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses life-threatening heart rhythms. When sudden cardiac arrest victims receive defibrillation within the first minute, the survival rate is 90%. Faith Regional is helping to provide free AEDs to area schools, businesses, and community centers. Joan applied to receive the AED and was notified recently that Hillcrest was chosen for this life-saving gift.