Medical Equipment Advancements: The Defibrillator

It used to be if you experienced a heart attack in a public setting you would have to wait for the ambulance or paramedics to get there to administer help. With the invention of more advanced technological medical equipment that has all changed. The invention of the defibrillator has saved many lives from those that have experienced a heart attack in a public setting.

A defibrillator is a small box that is similar to that of a laptop carrying case. Inside the box is a small machine that can be used to administer electrical currents. Electrical currents have been known to jump start the heart after a heart attack.

Many times the use of a defibrillator has been the difference between life and death. The moments after a person suffers a heart attack are critical. There could be permanent damage to the heart or brain if left for prolonged periods of time. These small defibrillators have been placed in various public areas where laypeople can administer that critical electrical current to get the person in a stable condition until medical professionals arrive.

Proper training is required in order to ensure that those that use the defibrillator are doing so properly. In recent years the American Red Cross has paid for the training of public officials and people so that there is always someone who is trained in how to use a defibrillator.

It is amazing how technology has been able to save and improve the health of others. The small sized defibrillators are just an example of how technology has advanced for the better over the past few years.

Filed Under: Hospital equipment, Medical Technology Tagged With: , ,

A Quality Defibrillator Can Make the Difference in an Emergency Case

Automated External Defibrillator
Image via Wikipedia
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.

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.

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Filed Under: health Equipment, Hospital equipment, Medical Technology Tagged With: , , ,