Making Schools Heart Safe: Do You Know Where the AED Is? | Naomi Kertesz | TEDxColumbus

There are approximately 350,000 sudden cardiac deaths in the U.S. each year, equal to
almost 1,000 every day. At least 600 to 1,000 of these sudden cardiac deaths occur in
children or adolescents. Approximately 20 percent of a community is in its schools on
any given day, including students, teachers, staff and family members. The difference between a 50% survival and a 90% survival is whether someone know where the automatic defibrillator is and is willing to use it. While schools own AEDs very few run drills to insure that the faculty and staff know when and how to use them. Dr. Kertesz will tell how just a 15 min drill in a school is the best prevention again sudden cardiac death.

Naomi Kertesz, MD, is Director of Electrophysiology and Pacing at The Heart Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital. She is Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. In 2017 she became the Medical Director of Project Adam Ohio.

Dr. Kertesz received her medical degree from Northwestern University. After completing her residency at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, she received her fellowship training for both pediatric cardiology and pediatric electrophysiology at Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital.

Dr. Kertesz's area of clinical expertise includes the diagnosis and management of arrhythmias. In additions she specializes in the implantation and follow-up of pacemakers and implantable cardiac defibrillators. She is passionate about making sure that all children can play and exercise safely. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at