AED Post Event Review, Automated External Defibrillator, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, SCA, Event Review

Not sure what to do after using your AED during an emergency? Every Automated External Defibrillator (AED) has the ability to record the event that takes place during an emergency. All AEDs store event information and it can be downloaded from the AED for review.

Hopefully at this point your organization has purchased an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to protect your members and staff from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). The possibility of using the AED, while slim, is definitely real. Therefore, it is very important to know how to use the AED and equally as important to know what to do after a usage.

Once an event has occurred, positive or negative, you must download the event data and forward it to the responding Physician and your Medical Director. Currently, every device on the market will record a minimum of 15 minutes of ECG analysis. Furthermore, some devices can record up to 8 hours of ECG or a short duration of both audible and ECG data. To find out your device's capability, consult your user's manual.

To download the event data, you must first have a computer with the appropriate manufacture's software. Most manufactures offer a basic version which can be downloaded for "Free" from the following sites:

• Cardiac Science Rescuelink
  Download link: Must contact Cardiac Science Tech Support to obtain link
• HeartSine EVO Saver Software
  Download Link: http://www.heartsine.com/index.php?page_id=152
• Defibtech Event Review Software
  Download Link: http://www.defibtech.com/downloads_utilities.html
• Physio Control LIFENET DT Express
  Download Link: CD Only, Field Service Rep can perform download for small fee.
• Philips Review Express
  Download Link
• Welch Allyn Smartlink Event Pro Software
  Download Link: Must send device in
• Zoll Rescue Net Code Review
  Download Link: http://www.zolldata.com/web/codeReview.aspx
  

After the software has been downloaded to your computer, the AED must be connected directly to the computer to review the event data. Currently, there are two methods for connecting and accessing this data:

• IRDA Adapter: Adapater connects through the computer's USB and allows the data to be transferred from the AED to the computer by lining up the infarred windows.
  Definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared_Data_Association
  
• Data Cable: Cable connects through the computer's USB port and allows data to be transferred through a direct connection between the AED and the computer.

After a connection has been established, the manufacture's software program should be run to receive "event data" from the AED. After the data is downloaded, it can be emailed or printed depending on the software's capabilities.Finally, after the data download is complete, it is imperative that the pads and/or battery be replaced so the AED can be placed back into service.

Contact HeartSafe America today to find out more about post even reviews and purchasing replacement AED accessories. Our goal is to educate the public about Sudden Cardiac Arrest and how AEDs can help increase the survival rate of SCA.

Cardiac Science recalls 12,200 more AEDs

Cardiac Science voluntarily recalls 12,200 more automated external defibrillators (AEDs). These AEDs may fail to deliver therapy to a victim suffering from Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

During February 2010, Cardiac Science has issued another voluntary recall for an additional 12,200 automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The voluntary recall is a separate issue from the November 2009 recall. The AEDs included are the Cardiac Science Powerheart, CardioVive, and CardioLive. The AEDs that have been affected were manufactured during October 19, 2009 through January 15, 2010. The AEDs may fail to deliver therapy, thus leading to a possible death of the victim.

The following Cardiac Science AED models are included in the voluntary recall:

• CardioVive models: 92532
• CardioLive models: 9200G, 9231

Cardiac Science will ship replacement models starting February 15, 2010. If you are concerned that your AED is one of the affected models, please check the serial number of your AED here.

Cardiac Science Recall on Powerheart and CardiacVive AEDs

Cardiac Science issued a voluntary recall in November 2009 on Powerheart and Cardiac Vive AEDs. The FDA issued a warning letter about the defective AEDs.

During November 2009, Cardiac Science Corporation issued a voluntary recall on Powerheart and CardioVive automated external defibrillators (AEDs) manufactured during August 2003. The reason for the recall is due to the fact that the AED is failing to deliver an electrical shock. The self-test that the AED performs on itself does not show that there is an error with the machine. If a responder attempts to use the defective AED, then the victim has to potential to not receive an electrical needed to restart his or her heart.

Cardiac Science Corporation is correcting the issues with each of the affected AEDs by performing voluntary field corrections on the AED.The following Cardiac Science AED models are included in the voluntary recall:

• Powerheart models: 9300A, 9300C, 9300D, 9300E, 9390A, 9390E
• CardioVive models: 92531, 92532, 92533

If your organization owns one of either of these AED models, you are encouraged to contact Cardiac Science immediately to ensure your AED is not a defective model. The FDA has released a warning letter since Cardiac Science has issued its voluntary recall. The FDA felt that the voluntary recall that Cardiac Science was not sufficient, and felt that a warning letter needed to be released since the AED had the potential to fail to function properly. The FDA wanted to make sure the public knew of the severity of the defective AEDs. The FDA recommends that if another AED is available on site that it should be used in place of the Cardiac Science AED until Cardiac Science corrects the defective AEDs.

To view the FDA warning letter, please CLICK HERE.