CHRISTUS St. Michael Donates Lifesaving Technology to DeKalb City Hall

CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System demonstrated their ongoing commitment to community health with the presentation of an automated external defibrillator (AED) to the city of DeKalb, TX on Aug. 14. This donation assists personnel at DeKalb City Hall in their efforts to ensure lifesaving technology is available at the city hall and at community events such as the annual OctoberFest.

An AED, according to the press release, is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and can deliver electric shock if needed. The donation was made possible through funding from the Northeast Texas Regional Advisory Council (NETRAC) and presented to the city of DeKalb by Renae Temples, RN, CRN, Clinical Specialist, CHRISTUS St. Michael Cardiac Cath Lab, on behalf of the hospital and NETRAC.

“Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and placement of the AED on a cardiac arrest victim can be crucial to survival,” explained Temples. “Being equipped with and having an AED readily available can make the lifesaving difference in this community.”

“AEDs save precious treatment time and can improve survival odds because they can be used by non-medical professionals before emergency medical service (EMS) personnel arrive on a scene,” said Temples.

“Immediate CPR and use of an AED can double, or even triple, survival rates – so having this tool at the general public disposal will make an immediate difference, and we are grateful to NETRAC and CHRISTUS St. Michael for allowing this device to be given to the city of DeKalb,” said DeKalb Councilman David Meadows.