Operating instructions

x LIFEPAK 500 Automated External Defibrillator Operating Instructions
Preface
ABOUT DEFIBRILLATION
Defibrillation is a recognized means of terminating certain potentially fatal arrhythmias. A direct current
defibrillator applies a brief, high-energy pulse of electricity to the heart muscle. The LIFEPAK
®
500
automated external defibrillator (AED) delivers this energy through disposable defibrillation electrodes
applied to the patient's chest.
Defibrillation is only one aspect of the medical care required to resuscitate a patient with a shockable
ECG rhythm. Depending on the situation, other supportive measures may include:
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Administration of supplemental oxygen
• Drug therapy
It is recognized that successful resuscitation is related to the length of time between the onset of a heart
rhythm that does not circulate blood (ventricular fibrillation, pulseless ventricular tachycardia) and
defibrillation. The American Heart Association has identified the following as critical links in the chain of
survival from cardiac arrest:
• Early access
• Early CPR by first responders or bystanders
• Early defibrillation
• Early advanced life support
The physiological state of the patient may affect the likelihood of successful defibrillation. Thus, failure
to resuscitate a patient is not a reliable indicator of defibrillator performance. Often, patients will exhibit
a muscular response (such as jumping or twitching) during energy transfer. The absence of such a
response is not a reliable indicator of actual energy delivery or device performance.
OPERATOR CONSIDERATIONS
The LIFEPAK 500 AED is a semi-automatic defibrillator that uses a patented Shock Advisory System
™
.
This software algorithm analyzes the patient's electrocardiographic (ECG) rhythm and indicates
whether or not it detects a shockable rhythm. The LIFEPAK 500 AED requires operator interaction in
order to defibrillate the patient.
The LIFEPAK 500 AED is intended for use by personnel who are authorized by a physician/medical
director and have, at a minimum, the following skills and training:
• CPR training
• AED training equivalent to that recommended by the American Heart Association
• Training in the use of the LIFEPAK 500 AED
The LIFEPAK 500 AED is intended for use in the hospital and out-of-hospital environments. It has been
tested to RTCA/DO-160C, “Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment”
(refer to Specifications, page 5-16).
INDICATIONS FOR USE
The LIFEPAK 500 AED is to be used only on patients in cardiopulmonary arrest. The patient must be
unconscious, not breathing normally, and showing no signs of circulation (for example, no pulse, and/or
no coughing, no movement) before the device is used to analyze the patient's ECG rhythm. With
Infant/Child Reduced Energy Defibrillation Electrodes, the specially configured biphasic LIFEPAK 500
AED may be used on children up to 8 years old or 25 kg (55 lb).