The Importance of AED Preventative Maintenance and Service

So you’ve made the potentially life-saving decision to equip your office, school, or facility with a visible and strategically placed automatic external defibrillator (AED) and you’ve invested in a an AED compliance management program. Good for you!

Now, let’s make sure your AED is ready when you need it. Preventative maintenance plans are a great, affordable way to ensure that your devices are in perfect, shock-ready working order.

How is Preventative Maintenance Different from AED Compliance Management?

A compliance management program sends regular reminders for you to check your AED’s power and verify battery life. It will also help you make sure that your equipment is properly registered, the device’s prescription is up-to-date, that the pads and batteries are within their expiration dates, and more. A preventative maintenance and service plan makes it easy for you to address repairs deemed necessary during routine compliance checks, can minimize potential liability issues, and helps keep your costs low should repairs be necessary.

Although modern AEDs and manual defibrillators (the type of equipment typically used by medical professionals) require very little maintenance, we recommend leaving preventative AED and manual defibrillator service and preventative maintenance to the professionals. Most state AED laws require that equipment be maintained in accordance to the individual manufacturer specifications, and professional maintenance providers have the experience and resources to ensure that your equipment meets its original manufacturers’ specifications.

Not only do affordable service and maintenance contracts keep your repair costs down, but they may help you avoid costly repairs altogether! In many instances, preventative maintenance can significantly extend the life of your equipment.

Certified medical equipment repair technicians, like those on our team here at Cardio Partners, will thoroughly analyze your equipment and will run brand-specific diagnostics to ensure that your machine is operating effectively.

We offer a multi-point inspection for all makes and models of AEDs and manual defibrillators. Our team is qualified to service equipment produced by industry-leading AED manufacturers such as Zoll, Philips, and Cardiac Science.

Cardio Partners AED Service Checklist

Here’s what you can expect from our multi-point inspections and preventative maintenance:

1. We’ll make sure that your AED software is upgraded to the current AHA guidelines.
2. Using a Fluke Impulse 7000 defibrillator analyzer, we’ll simulate a shockable rhythm. Multiple shocks are delivered to ensure the energy output is within current FDA guidelines.
3. Device performance is recorded.
4. We’ll perform a careful visual inspection to ensure that your AED shows no signs of cracks, wear, or other damage. All findings will be noted.
5. Your device will be meticulously cleaned in a laboratory environment.
6. AED is accessorized and made patient-ready with electrodes and batteries installed.
7. We’ll initiate self-tests to make sure that your AED is emergency-ready.
8. Battery and pad expiration dates are recorded. (We’ll notify you 60 days prior to the expiration of your equipment’s accessories.)
9. Each order is hand-checked and packaged in accordance to FedEx and UPS regulations.
10. AED tracing is submitted to the manufacturer in accordance with FDA regulations.

Cardio Partners Manual Defibrillator Checklist

1. Unit is visually inspected to ensure device is cosmetically sound.
2. Software version is recorded.
3. If a software upgrade is available from the manufacturer, your equipment will be updated.
4. Time and dates are checked and set, as necessary.
5. Unit and customer information is entered into Ansur Software and is recorded electronically and in hardcopy.
6. Device is tested on equipment that has been carefully calibrated by the manufacturer.
7. Joule output is tested and recorded.
8. Joule output is recorded and displayed on a sticker placed on the device.
9. Calibration sticker also notes “Next Inspection” date according to manufacturer guidelines.
10. Pacing is tested (if applicable).
11. SpO2 is tested (if applicable).
12. Non-invasive blood pressure is tested (if applicable).
13. Capnography is tested (if applicable.)
14. Printer is tested and test strip is shipped with the unit to show functionality.
15. All testing results stored on server and test summary is printed and filed.
16. Unit is fully accessorized and assembled patient-ready.
17. Device is meticulously hand-cleaned.
18. Packing slip is printed and hand-checked to ensure that all items are included.
19. Device is professionally packed using approved materials.
20. Tracking number is recorded on SO/Invoice.
21. Battery and pad expiration dates are recorded (you’ll be notified 60 days prior to their expiration).
22. Device information and destination are submitted to the manufacturer in accordance with FDA regulations.

To learn more about our AED and defibrillator service and preventative maintenance programs or our online compliance management program, contact Cardio Partners at 800-544-0004 or email us at customerservice@cardiopartners.com.