Heart arrhythmia is a very serious condition. A heart normally pumps at a stable rate. However, heart arrhythmia designates a shift from this normal pattern. Some times heart arrhythmia remains harmless. However, heart arrhythmia caused by trauma or serious chronic heart disease can prove life threatening. In this case, a defibrillator can prove to be a literal lifesaver. The defibrillator administers electrical energy to hopefully depolarize the heart and hopefully restore normal rhythms. In this case the decision on which defibrillator to use is absolutely important.
Most defibrillators operate on the principle of simplicity which ensures both a novice can use it and that an expert will have easy operation in a time of crisis. There are a host of features to ensure proper operation during a defibrillator procedure. The features range from pictogram instructions to voice and text instructions. This can help ease even a skilled technician in the case of an emergency.
Additionally, one must consider the context of the device. If the medical institution does not frequently deal with trauma or emergency cases then a simple and easy to use defibrillator remains completely appropriate. However, additional features such as manual control can make the difference in the hands of a trained expert dealing with a complicated trauma or emergency case.
Moreover, if the devise is likely to be outside of a sterile environment other factors come into play. The electrical charge makes most defibrillators prone to discharge in the presence of dust, water, or other unrelated materials. In this case, different defibrillators have different “International Protection Ratings” or IP codes. The higher the code the better the resistance to these various particles which might interfere with the procedure. Moreover, it helps prevent dangerous feedback to the user his or herself.
Finally, one can compare defibrillators by secondary characteristics such as warranty or battery life. These factors may tip the scales depending on one’s institution’s planned use rather than the core characteristics of the machine.