JPen exposes shocking truth about AEDs
31 January 2011
With tens of thousands of Automated External Defibrillators in use across the UK, JPen Medical have reported a one-in-ten chance of failure.
It is an alarming fact, that for every minute treatment is delayed following a cardiac arrest, a persons chance of survival is reduced by a staggering 14%. There's never a Doctor in the house when you need one and so initiatives like that of the British Heart Foundations' campaign to increase the availability of Automated External Defibrillators, (AEDs), have put tens of thousands of units in place across the UK.
In response to demand, AED manufacturers not only ensure their equipment can be operated by trained non-medical personnel working with straightforward instructions, but also by including a simple, built-in ‘self test’ mode, which checks that they are working.
However, work carried out by on-site medical equipment testing and calibration specialists, JPen Medical, has revealed that even though AEDs would pass a self-test, around 10% of them would still fail a ‘live test’ carried out by a qualified engineer. This is not good for the patient, which is why medical professionals get their AEDs live tested every 12 months, just to be sure. Now, the live testing service is available to non-medical AED operators as well.
For a charge of £39.95 + VAT, the service entails an on-site visit from one of JPen Medicals' qualified engineers at a date and time to suit, to carry out a detailed live testing schedule on the AED unit. The test ensures;
- that it discharges a full set of stepped shocks,
- that it takes correct patient readings and discharges appropriately
- that the battery holds sufficient charge to discharge at the appropriate level,
- that the pads are compliant,
- and that battery and pad expiry dates are logged and monitored (so that JPen Medical can warn its customers about pending replacement dates).
“It has been a great initiative to make AEDs widely available throughout the UK, but it would be terrible if a unit failed to work when it was needed. The medical profession has been live-testing its AEDs for years and we’re pleased that we offer the same reassurance to everyone else.”
Other Press Releases By This Company
- 23/10/2012 - JPen enhance accreditations
- 31/01/2011 - JPen offer Medical Scale Blitz Days, to validate all hospital scales in one easy visit
- 28/01/2011 - JPen set to save Vets time and money
