Published 15 Aug 2023
What is an AED Checklist?
An AED checklist is an essential tool for anyone using an AED (automated external defibrillator). AEDs are portable medical devices used to treat those experiencing cardiac arrests. Since every minute without treatment decreases their chances of survival, it’s critical to ensure through routine maintenance that AEDs are always ready-to-use.
AED checklists can also be used to guide persons delivering emergency assistance. This is especially important for AEDs placed in areas that lack on-site trained medical personnel. In addition, even those with AED training may forget how or be unable to operate it due to shock.
In this article
- Who Uses Automated External Defibrillator and Why?
- Common Issues
- How to Maintain It
- Why Use a Digital Checklist?
- Mobilize Healthcare with SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor) Checklist Templates
- Featured AED Checklist Templates
Who Uses Automated External Defibrillator and Why?
AEDs are mainly used by those working in EMS (emergency medical services), a coordinated system of emergency medical care. While it may be the first responders who operate the AED, the overall well-being of the patient is in the hands of many others as well. These include dispatch, EMT (emergency medical technicians), ER doctors, and the patient’s personal physician, nurse, or caregiver. Outside of EMS, AED units are also found in schools, offices, and shopping malls for the public to access.
Common Issues
Though AEDs are known for simplicity, ease-of-use, and sophistication, these life-saving devices may fail due to improper maintenance. According to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, 45% of AED incidents linked to fatalities were caused by insufficient battery charge and 23.7% of AED failures were caused by problems with pads and connectors.
Other common issues with AEDs are electrodes drying out, damaged cables, faulty circuit boards, malfunctioning resistors, and software bugs. While a majority of the issues are manufacturing-related, some can be solved by regularly inspecting, using, and caring for AEDs.
How to Maintain It
To avoid experiencing a manufacturing-related issue, it’s recommended to buy only FDA-approved AEDs. Popular AED brands with FDA approval are ZOLL, Philips, Defibtech, Physio-Control, and Cardiac Science. Though each AED brand has specific maintenance and troubleshooting procedures, here are some general tips on how to maintain AEDs:
Keep Them Fully Charged
As mentioned previously, failing to keep AEDs fully charged can lead to devastating consequences. New batteries must be installed at least every 4 years. However, if a battery needs replacement in the midst of an emergency, it’s critical to only replace it during a CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) interval.
Test, Practice, and Train
Most AEDs have self-testing capabilities and will alert users if they encounter a problem. This can either be through an audio alarm (machine starts beeping) or a visual one (light flashing). That’s why it’s important to always have someone near the device so that these notifications aren’t missed. Users can also test AEDs and themselves by having practice runs frequently.
To get the most benefit from AEDs, users should consider starting AED training.
Use a Checklist
Whether one is a home user, a first responder, or a future Good Samaritan, using an AED checklist to prepare for emergencies is crucial. According to the Defibrillator Working Group of the FDA, evidence suggests that error in operator use and errors in defibrillator care and maintenance account for a high proportion of defibrillator failures. Using an AED checklist helps ensure that such errors are minimized and defibrillator failures are avoided. To illustrate this, here’s a sample of a pre-use AED checklist:
🗹 Check to see if the person if breathing and has a pulse.
🗹 If the person is not breathing and has no pulse, call 911.
🗹 Secure the electrode pads’ cable connector to the AED.
🗹 Press electrode pads firmly, especially in the center.
Why Use a Digital Checklist?
Unlike paper checklists, digital AED checklists allow first responders to remotely transmit data to hospital emergency departments, enabling them to prepare in advance for a patient’s arrival. Aside from being a convenient method for sending a patient’s contact details, vital signs, and ECGs to the next point of care, a digital AED checklist may also be modified to request for a doctor’s interpretation, feedback, or approval.
Mobilize Healthcare with SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor) Checklist Templates
Why use SafetyCulture?
SafetyCulture is an AED inspection tool trusted by over 26,000 organizations in 85 countries. As a mobile inspection app, SafetyCulture is available to download on iOS or Android.
Beyond AED maintenance checks, SafetyCulture can also be used in the telemedicine industry to:
- send live patient information such as temperature checks from field to hospital
- improve communication between first responders and emergency departments
- facilitate doctor-patient interaction while still observing social distancing
With SafetyCulture, you can schedule monthly AED maintenance and perform daily AED inspections. If you do find an issue with your AED, but are unable to resolve it, you can assign a corrective action such as repair to a defibrillator operator within your organization. Preview a sample on web and print PDF report.
Try SafetyCulture for free today with one of our featured AED checklist templates below.
Featured AED Checklist Templates
AED Maintenance Checklist
Use this AED checklist to do the following:
- Verify that electrodes and batteries are within their expiration date.
- Verify that electrodes are pre-connected to the input connector.
- Verify that supplies are available for use (razor, mask, and gloves).
- Inspect the AED unit for damage and cracks.
- Inspect cables for cracks, cuts, and exposed or broken wires.
AED Daily Inspection Checklist
Use this AED checklist to do the following:
- Conduct daily AED inspections quickly and efficiently.
- Check the AED unit and its accessories for damage, dirt, or contamination.
- Confirm that battery pack and pads are not expired and have spares.
- Check if the ASI (Active Status Indicator) is flashing green.
- Input additional comments, notes, observations, or issues.
AED Weekly Checklist
Use this AED checklist to do the following:
- Conduct weekly AED maintenance with ease.
- Perform corrective actions for different indicators.
- Check the use-by date of all electrode packets and replace as needed.
- Check AED for damage, cracks, or foreign substances.
- Add a digital signature and photos to verify the inspection.
AED Maintenance Checklist Template
Use this AED checklist to do the following:
- Create corrective actions immediately.
- Check if the AED is unobstructed and that its sign is displayed.
- Check for the presence of a visual and audible service alarm.
- Inspect AED supplies such as extra sets and sealed packages of electrode pads, a pocket mask, examination gloves, safety razors, and absorbent gauze or hand towels.
- Add a digital signature, additional comments, and photos.
AED Protocol
Use this AED checklist to do the following:
- Perform a monthly AED procedure for maintenance.
- Observe the change of the status indicator from green to red during the AED self-test.
- Check and replace the battery if its indicator is red.
- Follow the text and voice prompts for instructions.
- Add a digital signature and corrective actions.
