Oregon schools will soon be required to have cardiac emergency response plans, under a measure approved by the Oregon Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Tina Kotek.
House Bill 4160 sets statewide standards to ensure K-12 schools are prepared to respond to cardiac emergencies.
Dr. James Bishara, a physician in Salem and president of the Oregon Pediatrics Society, said the plans will ensure schools and other gathering places are prepared to deal with a medical crisis.
“Sudden cardiac arrest can occur at any time to anybody,” Bishara pointed out. “Many kids who are at risk for sudden cardiac arrest have no idea that they’re at risk until they have a sudden cardiac arrest episode.”
The law requires schools to maintain response plans, have automated external defibrillators, conduct practice drills, coordinate with local emergency medical services and provide CPR and AED training for key staff. Supporters said the measure could more than double survival rates from cardiac arrest by improving rapid recognition and response.
Bishara stressed a cardiac emergency response plan ensures trained school personnel are prepared to administer lifesaving care until emergency responders arrive.
“This should be of the infrastructure of the building, just like when you’re planning bathrooms and entrances and exits and all of those sorts of features,” Bishara argued. “This should be part of public buildings like sports facilities and schools.”
The bill was supported by the Oregon Smart Hearts Coalition and led by the American Heart Association. The measure requires all school districts have a plan in place by the start of the 2027-2028 school year.
Bishara added the new law is both cost-effective and a major step forward in protecting students, educators and visitors during cardiac emergencies.
“The cost of an AED is only about $2,000 to $3,000, depending on the unit,” Bishara noted. “This protects people for years and years and it has fairly low maintenance costs.”
Source: Public News Service
