In our department we will soon be deciding what we will do (if anything) regarding testing the Philips FR-2+ AED defibs. The manual states that manual testing of energy delivery is not required, however I have also got a philips document explaining how to test the energy delivery and what test equipment to do that with (like the Impulse 3000). I would like to know what is being done in other hospitals. No test at all, a yearly energy delivery test perhaps? Please let me know what has been decided and why.
Many thanks!

We have 4 of this generic type of AED. I test them twice a year for energy delivery using a QED 6 which provides a waveform to induce a shock sequence. I think with equipment of this sort you need to be sure that it is actually working and not just sitting there waiting to fail when it is required in ernest.

There is the argument that the more you use something the more likely it is to fail. So by doing regular tests you are increasing the possibility of failure in use.
Do you switch the light on in all the rooms in hour house regularly to check all the bulbs are still working? No because that is going to make the bulbs blow sooner.
Just a thought.
Robert

Thanks for your replies! Your points will be taken into consideration.

We have a number of these on our database.

The ones that belong to the acute trust are checked annually as the trust has decided that ALL defibrillators are checked at least once a year (most of the other defibs are checked on a quarterly basis).

There are some that are owned outside of the trust and we inform the users that the acute trust has them maintained/checked annually, and they are left to make their own decision.

I appreciate that the more you use something, the more likely it is to go wrong, but I wouldn't like to be the one to explain to the coroner why a defib has never had ANY maintenance/PPM checks, whilst others are checked annually. If we don't check them, how can you be sure that the equipment works - I have experience of equipment that is neglected by the user and unless they have (and adhere to) daily/weekly checks, you are to some extent relying on Lady Luck when you come to use it.

On the other hand, if the manufacturer says they need no maintenance......

I just put my posting forward to stimulate discussion. I would agree with BSM that a regular inspection is necessary to ensure that there is no obvious damage and that it is correctly stored. This is far more likely to cause problems than internal electrical failure.
As for firing it on a yearly basis, it would not shorten its life too much but you can only say it was working on that day. This test does not mean that it will definitely work next time it is switched on.
It is the daily firing by the ward staff that I would question.
Robert

And as we always follow the manufacturers instructions we do not test this model ever.....You cannot have it both ways, either you are a department that does what the manufacturer says or you do your own risk assessment.

Could the daily test discharge carried out daily or even during each shift a medico legal requirement. In the event of an death where the defibrillator was used and subsequent failed I suspect risk managers would require documented proof that it had been recently checked.

Why is life never simple?

This type of defib has an on board test that checks itself, daily, weekly and monthly.

It should also be checked after clinical use by the user - running the self test sequence.

Staff on the ward should check the status indicator as per user instructions and as per resuscitation committee or dept policy regarding the disposables,etc.

If the self test fails, the indicator shows an X in the display. If you switch the unit on regularly you can decrease the life of the battery significantly.

We switch the unit on during PPM and let it perform its built in check sequence. Also we note the battery expiry date (and the spare battery), condition of unit, etc and also check it is still where it is supposed to be!

If user manual tells us there is no need to test, then you cannot be criticised for following the manual should an incident occur, if you chose to perform tests that are extra to the manual then thats entirely your choice.

Does it also check itself for being plugged into the mains, for not having a smashed casing or mains plug, for having all its accessories, and for actually being there?

Geoff

The FR2 does not have any mains supply but a battery that is supposed to last approx 50 shocks. No mains plug either. Nuff sed!