This study aimed to assess the trend of the maintenance status and usability of public automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Public AEDs installed in Seoul from 2013 to 2017 were included. An inspector checked the maintenance status and usability of the AEDs annually using a checklist. During the study period, 23,619 AEDs were inspected. Access to the AEDs was improved, including the absence of obstacles near the AEDs (from 90.2% in 2013 to 99.1% in 2017, p < 0.0001) and increased AED signs (from 34.3% in 2013 to 91.3% in 2017, p < 0.0001). The rate of AEDs in normal operation (from 94.0% in 2013 to 97.6% in 2017, p < 0.0001), good battery status (from 95.6% in 2013 to 96.8% in 2017, p = 0.0016), and electrode availability increased (from 97.1% in 2013 to 99.0% in 2017, p < 0.0001); the rate of electrode validity decreased (from 90.0% in 2013 to 87.2% in 2017, p < 0.0001). The overall rate of the non-ready-to-use AEDs and AEDs with less than 24-h usability accounted for 15.4% and 44.1% of the total number of AEDs, respectively. Although most AEDs had a relatively good maintenance status, a significant proportion of public AEDs were not available for 24-h use. Invalid electrodes and less than 24-h accessibility were the main reasons that limited the 24-h usability of public AEDs.
Introduction and purposes: Communities need to pay attention to the maintenance of public access defibrillators (PADs) installed in their jurisdictions to ensure that the PADs are always available. The purpose of this study is to assess the maintenance status of the PAD and to investigate the effect of periodic inspections on the maintenance status of the PAD. Methods: From 2013 to 2018, PADs installed in Seoul Metropolitan area were eligible. After an 8-hour PAD inspection training, an inspector visited the PAD site once a year to check the defibrillator. The inspector checked the maintenance status of the PAD using the checklist and conducted a questionnaire on PAD management from the PAD manager. At the end of inspection, the inspector gave an instruction on PAD maintenance and usage to the person in charge. Results: A total of 18,011 PADs including 3,134 in 2013, 3402 in 2014, 5622 in 2015, 5909 in 2016, 5552 in 2017, and 3615 in 2018 were inspected. During study period, there was a tendency to improve accessibility to PAD including obstacles around the defibrillator (from 9.3% in 2013 to 0.8% in 2018, p trend=0.006) and installation of PAD signs (from 34.3% in 2013 to 99.9% in 2018, p trend=0.007). Maintenance status of PAD was improved in terms of normal operation (from 94.0% in 2013 to 99.7% in 2018, p trend=0.010), normal battery charge status (from 95.6% in 2013 to 99.7% in 2018, p trend=0.037), and availability of valid electrodes (from 97.1% in 2013 to 99.8% in 2018, p trend=0.035). There was no difference in the frequency of actual use to the victims (from 0.7% in 2013 to 1.1% in 2018, p trend=0.803). Conclusions: Periodic inspections improve maintenance status of the PAD and its availability.
Objective This study aimed to assess the maintenance status and availability of publicly installed automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Methods Public AEDs installed in Seoul 2013 to 2017 were included. An inspector checked the maintenance status and availability of AEDs annually using a checklist. Results A total of 23,619 AEDs were inspected for 5 years. Access to AEDs was improved, including reduced obstacles around AEDs (from 9.3% in 2013 to 0.8% in 2017) and increased AED signs (from 34.3% in 2013 to 91.2% in 2017). The number of AEDs in normal operation (from 94.0% in 2013 to 97.5% in 2017), with normal battery charge (from 95.6% in 2013 to 96.8% in 2018), and electrode availability increased (from 97.1% in 2013 to 99.0% in 2017). However, the rate of electrode validity decreased (from 90.0% in 2013 to 87.2% in 2017). Non-ready-to-use AEDs and AEDs with limited 24-h availability accounted for 15.4% and 44.1% of the total number of AEDs, respectively. Conclusions Although most AEDs had a relatively good maintenance status, a significant proportion of public AEDs was not available for 24-h use. Invalid electrodes and limited 24-h accessibility were the main reasons that limited the 24-h availability of public AEDs.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.