UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED

Familiarity with the device being used is essential.
This is not intended to be a specific instruction guide.

 Description
 Indications
  • To analyse electrical activity of the heart.
  • Provide a direct current electrical shock (defibrillation) for shockable rhythms.
 Contraindications
Contraindications
 Patient Factors & Considerations
  • Do not defibrillate over a medication patch or pacemaker site.
  • Do not use the device in direct presence of possible ignition sources e.g. flammable vapors, and/or explosive materials.
  • Do not place pads over ECG dots (remove the dots to ensure pads are in correct position).
  • Ensure patient is dry and on a non-conductive surface.
  • Ensure there is no person in contact with the patient when delivering a shock.
  • Loose pads may cause burned skin or arcing.
  • Due to vibrations, consider the possibility of misinterpretation by the device in a moving vehicle and if in doubt, stop and reassess the rhythm.
 Procedure
  • All relevant infection control methods to be utilised.
  • If patient is found to be non-responsive and pulseless commence CPR as per Cardiac Arrest guidelines immediately.
  • Ensure correct placement of the defibrillation pads for adults[1] and paediatrics/infants[2], but DO NOT interrupt CPR to do so.
  1. Adult Pad Placement

padplacement
  1. Paediatric Pad Placement

Defibrillation - 21
Defibrillation - 22

Manual Mode

  • Select the appropriate pads for the patient
    • For children 6 years and under or less than 20kg: paediatric pads
    • For children over 6 years, patients over 20kg and adults (including elderly): adult pads
  • Apply the pads to patient’s bare, dry chest as shown on the packaging.
  • Select the desired energy setting.
  • Charging:
    • Announce "Charging to [X] joules, continue compressions".
    • Charge the defibrillator and continue compressions.
    • At this time warn, and ensure others are CLEAR.
    • Once charged, an audible alarm will sound.
  • Operator and Compressor must communicate clearly and unambiguously.
  • Using a tactile hand tap, announce "STOP Compressions". Compressor must stop and hover.
  • Shocking:
    • Both Operator and Compressor should assess rhythm; "Confirm shockable / non-shockable".
    • If shockable, deliver shock.
    • If non-shockable, disarm the device.
  • Using a tactile hand tap, announce "Resume Compressions".
  • Continue CPR as necessary & assess rhythm every 2 minutes.

NB: Tactile hand taps are an important and necessary safety feature to minimise risk of accidental shock to rescuers and is a MANDATORY component of IMPACT CPR.

Corpuls

Defibrillation - CorPuls

Automatic Mode (Zoll / FR3 / FRx)

  • To initiate Automatic mode:
    • If using Corpuls, select AED mode.
    • If using the Zoll, select "Defib" mode on the dial, and then press "Anaylse".
    • If using the FR3 AED, simply open the case and it will automatically turn the unit on. If it does not turn on immediately, press the green power button on the unit.
    • If using the FRx AED, open the case and turn on the unit by pressing the green power button.
  • If using the FRx/FR3 AED on an infant/child under weight of 25kg or < 8 years insert the infant/child key immediately.
  • When using in Automated External Defibrillator (AED) mode ensure the audio and visual instructions are followed. Devices will analyse rhythms automatically.
  • When the device prompts so, warn and ensure others are CLEAR.
  • One officer may support this by using a tactile hand tap, announcing "STOP Compressions". Compressor must stop and hover.
  • If shockable, the unit will emit a beep when fully charged. If shockable, the device will prompt a shock to be delivered.
  • After the shock is delivered, using a tactile hand tap, announce "Resume Compressions"; the compressor must resume.
  • Continue to follow the prompts, and CPR, as appropriate.

Zoll M

 

Defibrillation - Zoll

Philips Laerdal FR3

Defibrillation - FRx

Philips Laerdal FRx

Defibrillation - FR3

 Refractory VF/VT
  • Patients in shock-refractory VF/VT (>3 shocks) can benefit from a change in electrical vector to assist in terminating the rhythm
  • To be considered shock-refractory there must be no termination of the shockable rhythm between shocks
 Management

Defibrillation pad placement – Vector Change

  • Keeping the original pads in situ, place a second set of defibrillation pads in anterior/posterior (AP) position - as shown with pads 2A and 2B on the diagram.
  • Label both sets of leads - A/L for the standard (Antero-Lateral) placement, and A/P for the new (Anterior/Posterior) placement.
  • Change to the AP pad cord on the monitor
  • Continue as normal with IMPACT resuscitation, using the AP pad placement for further defibrillation attempts

Double Sequential Defibrillation

This skill is for specifically trained and authorised clinicians only.

Double sequential defibrillation (DSED) is the instance of two sequential (<1 second apart) shocks using two sets of pads and two monitors with the pads in the anterior/lateral and anterior/posterior placement. One person who is trained and authorised must discharge both defibrillators sequentially.

  • Connect one Corpuls3 monitor to each set of pads (AL and AP placement), ensuring it is known which monitor is connected to which pads.
  • Charge both monitors as normal for a status check.
  • Defibrillator operator to perform tactile hand tap and announce"stop compressions" as above prior to rhythm check
  • If non-shockable, disarm charge on both monitors
  • If shockable, deliver shock from both monitors, first using AL pads followed by AP.
  • Announce "continue compressions" with tactile hand tap.

Safety considerations:

  • Simultaneous defibrillation from both monitors may cause damage to the monitors and has unknown patient effect.
  • Unfamiliarity with using two monitors may lead to accidental shocks if another clinician resumes compressions too early.
  • Tactile hand-taps are mandatory.
  • One clinician should perform hand-tap to stop compressions, defibrillate with both monitors, and perform second hand-tap to resume compressions using the same hand to ensure the correct sequence is followed.

Defib pad placement for vector change and DSED

Defibrilator pad placement:
1A/1B: Antero-lateral (standard) placement
2A/2B: Antero-posterior placement

 Success
Success
 Discontinue
Discontinue
Additional Information
Additional information

Settings
Extended Care:
Colour assist:

References
References

Document Control


Directorate
Clinical Services

Responsible Manager
Head of Clinical Services

Version

Published Date

Review Date

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