There are many things to consider when implementing an AED Program. In this and upcoming blogs, I will touch on most of the topics to consider before and after purchasing an AED. Here at Chesapeake AED Services, we take special care to educate our clients on every aspect of implementing an AED Program. We will guide you through the process and make recommendations based on your needs to properly implement an effective lifesaving AED program. I hope these series of blogs is helpful and very informative. If you would like more information, please check out our NEW website, for a complete resource of information or feel free to give us a call.
We discussed Physio Control in general. In this blog, I would like to discuss some features unique to the Life Pak CR Plus and Physio Control AED’s. As I stated before, everything that Physio develops or sells is clinically validated and backed by science.
Some Sudden Cardiac Arrest Victims require multiple shocks at higher energies.
Unfortunately, there is no way to tell who will need multiple shocks at higher energies. These “energies” are measured as Joules. There is clear clinical upside to escalating energy but no down side. ALL Physio Control Life Pak AED’s escalate to 360 Joules. ”We build our defibrillators that way because solid clinical research shows that higher energy can improve shock success for cardiac arrest victims when low-energy shocks fail.” The FDA is currently investigating the significance of 360 joule shocks. In fact, the FDA received reports of 14 events since 2006 where less than 200 joule shocks were ineffective and a subsequent shock of 360 joules resulted in defibrillation. Also, in a number of defibrillation studies, by manufacturers of AED’s, Physio-Control shock performance has been evaluated in more than TWICE as many cardiac arrest victims than all the other manufacturers combined!
In the Life Pak CR Plus and Express energy escalates to the 360 joules. They start at 200 joules, then 300 joules and the third shock at 360 joules. Most AED’s only escalate to 200 joules if they escalate at all.
Value of Escalating Energy
Fully vs. Semi Automatic AED’s?
Our Life Pak CR Plus comes in Fully Automatic and Semi Automatic. What is the difference you may ask? Fully Automatic units deliver the shock, if needed, without having to push a shock button. The Semi Automatic units still require a person to push a shock button. What does this mean to the user? There are a few benefits to the Fully Automatic units. I like to tell my clients, it is essentially, an extra set of hands because you can better assess the situation and make sure no one is touching the patient. It takes the confusion out of an already chaotic situation. A recent study has shown that safety is not compromised when untrained rescuers use a fully automatic AED compared to a Semi Automatic AED. The Fully automatic device was designed for the lay rescuer. Not that you can forgo training but when in an emergency situation arises, we do not always think clearly. The Fully Automatic machines reduce potential delays in delivering a shock. Some found pushing a Shock button proved to be quite difficult. We think that people associate the “shock” with what happens when someone on TV receives a shock from an AED. On TV, the body almost jumps off the table after being shocked but the realty is at most you will see is a shoulder shrug after a shock is delivered. Think of having to push a shock button on a loved one. Would you hesitate? Timing is everything when it comes to Sudden Cardiac Arrest. A similar study, compared ease of use of a Fully Automatic vs. a Semi Automatic. In this study, use errors were lower in the group using the fully automatic version of the AED. The study’s authors noted this improved performance could be explained given that the fully automatic AEDs put the rescuer in “a more passive and secure position during analysis and shock delivery, preventing the rescuer from inappropriate actions.” Some may argue that they would prefer a shock button because of their higher level of training. However, with the wide spread use and popularity of AEDs today, making them more accessible, what is the likely hood of someone is not trained or has very little training would be using the AED? If I needed an AED I would prefer a Fully Automatic AED to ensure I was getting the shock has quickly as possible and avoiding human error.
So how does a Fully Automatic unit work? Our Life Pak CR Plus is the simplest unit to own and use! The machine tells you exactly what to do. Turn it on and listen to the voice prompts. ”Call 911…..Connect electrodes to patient exactly as shown on Pads”. That is it! The machine will than analyze the heart rhythm to determine if a shock is needed. It will deliver a shock if needed or It will than prompt the rescuer to administer CPR.
The Benefits of Fully Automatic Defibrillators
To sum it up, 360 Joules simply does the job better and Fully Automatic AED’s allow for successful AED use without hesitation. There are many features of AED’s on the market today. Why pay for features that have not been proven to increase survival rates? Everything that Phsyio Control claims and or sells as a feature is clinically validated and backed by science. For more information, please check out our newly re-designed website at www.chesapeakeaedservices.com.
