CHAPTER 779. AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS - Texas Statutes

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODETITLE 9. SAFETYSUBTITLE B. EMERGENCIESCHAPTER 779. AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORSSec. 779.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "automated external defibrillator" means a heart monitor and defibrillator that:(1) has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration of its premarket notification filed under 21 U.S.C. Section 360(k), as amended;(2) is capable of recognizing the presence or absence of ventricular fibrillation or rapid ventricular tachycardia and is capable of determining, without interpretation of cardiac rhythm by an operator, whether defibrillation should be performed; and(3) on determining that defibrillation should be performed, automatically charges and requests delivery of an electrical impulse to an individual's heart.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 679, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 779.002. TRAINING. (a) A person or entity that acquires an automated external defibrillator shall ensure that:(1) each user of the automated external defibrillator receives training given or approved by the Texas Department of Health in:(A) cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and(B) use of the automated external defibrillator; and(2) a licensed physician is involved in the training program to ensure compliance with the requirements of this chapter.(b) The Texas Department of Health shall adopt rules establishing the minimum requirements for the training required by this section. In adopting rules under this section, the Texas Department of Health shall consider the guidelines for automated external defibrillator training approved by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or another nationally recognized association.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 679, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 779.003. MAINTENANCE OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR. A person or entity that owns or leases an automated external defibrillator shall maintain and test the automated external defibrillator according to the manufacturer's guidelines.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 679, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 779.004. USING AN AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR. A person or entity that provides emergency care to a person in cardiac arrest by using an automated external defibrillator shall promptly notify the local emergency medical services provider.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 679, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 779.005. NOTIFYING LOCAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDER. When a person or entity acquires an automated external defibrillator, the person or entity shall notify the local emergency medical services provider of the existence, location, and type of automated external defibrillator.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 679, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 779.006. LIABILITY EXEMPTION. The prescribing physician who authorizes the acquisition of an automated external defibrillator in accordance with this chapter, a person or entity that provides approved training in the use of an automated external defibrillator in accordance with this chapter, and the person or entity that acquires the automated external defibrillator and meets the requirements of this chapter are not liable for civil damages for such prescription, training, or acquisition unless the conduct is wilfully or wantonly negligent. Any person or entity that acquires an automated external defibrillator and negligently fails to comply with the requirements of this chapter is liable for civil damages caused by such negligence.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 679, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 779.007. POSSESSION OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS. Each person or entity, other than a licensed practitioner, that acquires an automated external defibrillator that has not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter sale shall ensure that:(1) the automated external defibrillator has been delivered to that person or entity by a licensed practitioner in the course of his professional practice or upon a prescription or other order lawfully issued in the course of his professional practice; or(2) if the automated external defibrillator is acquired for the purpose of sale or lease, the person or entity shall be in conformance with the applicable requirements found in Section 483.041, Health and Safety Code.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 679, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 38, Sec. 1, eff. May 8, 2007.

Sec. 779.008. HOSPITAL EXEMPTION. This chapter shall not apply to hospitals licensed under Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 679, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.