Medtronic/Physio Control LifePak CR+ AED; Automated External Defibrillator, Purchase an AED, AED Program, LifePak, Defibrillator

Purchasing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can be a difficult decision with numerous manufacturers to choose from and numerous different features. Therefore, understanding the differences and capabilities of each AED is key to selecting the proper AED for your organization.

As individuals, businesses, churches and other organizations pursue the possibility of obtaining an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), determining which device to purchase can be a little over whelming and confusing. Therefore, our goal is to help you understand the differences & capabilities of each AED. With that being said, today’s blog will take an in depth look at Physio-Control’s LIFEPAK CR Plus.

The LIFEPAK CR Plus Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a device with professional grade functionality, designed specifically for the “lay person” environment. The simple to use CR PLUS AED employs one of the most advanced technologies in defibrillation available on the consumer market. This technology is called “Adaptive Biphasic” and is the same technology used by EMS and hospitals nationwide.

In simple terms, Adaptive means the internal brain of the AED will “adapt” the amount of energy and length of the current based on the victim’s heart rhythm. Biphasic indicates how the current will travel. “Bi” (meaning two) signifies that the current will cross the heart twice, making the shock more effective.

The CR PLUS is available in two configurations, “Semi-Automatic” or “Automatic.” In the semi-automatic configuration, once the pads have been applied to the victim’s chest, the AED will analyze the heart rhythm to determine if a shock is needed. If a shockable rhythm is detected, the CR Plus will advise the rescuer to “push the red flashing button” to deliver a shock.

In the fully-automatic configuration, once the pads have been applied to the victim’s chest, the AED will analyze the heart rhythm to determine if a shock is needed. If a shockable rhythm is detected, the CR Plus will begin charging, instruct the rescuer to “stand back”, and deliver a shock without rescuer assistance. Both versions of the CR Plus are programmed to shock only if one of two rhythms is detected, Ventricular Fibrillation (VFIB) or Ventricular Tachycardia (VTAC).

Both CR Plus configurations employ an escalating energy protocol of:

Shock #1: 200 joules
Shock #2: 300 joules
Shock #3: 360 joules

This protocol is used by a large number of Medical Professionals and has shown to be more effective in defibrillating patients with higher impedance Furthermore, the CR Plus is equipped with pediatric capability which will automatically reduce the amount of energy by 1/3 when the pediatric pads are connected. Pediatric pads are designed to be used on children under the age of 8 years old or 55lbs and under.

Another safety feature of the CR Plus is its motion detection sensor. This safety mechanism determines if the victim is inadvertently being moved or touched by a live person when a shock is about to be delivered. This will prevent the other person from being shocked as well and avoid another potential risk of a problem.

Finally, The LIFEPAK CR Plus is virtually maintenance free and has one date to monitor to replace both the pads and the batteries. If the display window at the top of the device shows “OK”, it is “Rescue Ready”. To avoid power failure and maintain its “Rescue Ready” status, the device has two power sources, a small trickle charge battery and a larger internal battery. The internal battery has the ability to retain a charge for up to another 12 months after the expiration of the trickle charge battery. However, this is NOT recommended by Physio-Control.

The CR Plus has many great features that make it applicable for any public access setting. However, what sets it apart from other AEDs is its ability to adapt to the patient and deliver a highly effective shock. This is why so many of the following organizations have chosen Physio-Control.

• Medical & Healthcare Professionals
• Fortune 1000 Corporations
• Federal & State Agencies
• Law Enforcement Agencies
• School Districts

Contact HeartSafe America today to find out more about the Medtronic/Physio Control LifePak CR+ and how to implement your AED Program. HeartSafe America's goal is to educate the public about Sudden Cardiac Arrest and how AEDs can increase the survival rate.

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.

HeartSafe America; FDA; Medtronic; Physio Control; AED, AEDs

On February 19, 2010, the FDA has released Medtronic/Physio-Control from any and all shipping and manufacturing restrictions. Physio-Control is free to ship worldwide once again.

On February 19, 2010, Medtronic/Physio-Control received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to resume unrestricted shipments. This approval comes a little over three years after Physio-Control voluntarily suspended shipments as a result of quality system issues identified in a 2006 FDA Audit. Since Physio-Control’s “Stop Ship” announcement in January 2007, they have been working diligently to identify deficiencies and improve all processes. Therefore, in December 2009, Physio-Control completed all of the stipulations set out in 2008 Consent Decree and extended an audit invitation to FDA. After several months of reviewing and re-reviewing all processes, the FDA confirmed Physio-Control to be in compliance and rendered a decision to lift all restrictions.

CLICK HERE to view the letter by Brian Webster, President of Physio-Control.

Contact HeartSafe America today to order all of your Medtronic/Physio-Control products.