Physio-Control LIFEPAK 20e - Manual (Page 85)

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LIFEPAK 20e Defibrillator/Monitor Operating Instructions 4-15
©2006-2013 Physio-Control, Inc.
Manual Defibrillation Warnings
To use the LIFEPAK 20e defibrillator/monitor primarily as a manual defibrillator, configure the
defibrillator before placing the defibrillator in use. To configure the defibrillator, refer to
Section 8 .
Impedance
LIFEPAK biphasic defibrillators measure the patient's transthoracic impedance and automatically
adjust the defibrillation waveform voltage and current duration to meet the needs of the individual
patient.
Impedance is measured whenever the defibrillator is charged. To ensure correct patient
impedance readings, you should always charge the defibrillator when the standard paddles (hard
paddles) or QUIK-COMBO electrodes are in contact with the patient's chest.
If the standard paddles are in the paddle wells or touching face to face (shorted paddles) when
the defibrillator is charged, the defibrillator limits the available energy to 79 joules This prevents
damage to the internal circuits, in the event the energy is discharged while the hard paddles are
still in the paddle wells or shorted together. If the defibrillator is charged to 80 joules or more and
energy is discharged when the hard paddles are seated in the paddle wells, the display indicates
the selected energy available and the automatic printout annotates time, date and Shock 1 79 J.
WARNINGS!
Possible fire, burns, and ineffective energy delivery.
Precordial lead electrodes and lead wires may interfere with the placement of standard paddles
or therapy electrodes. Before defibrillation, remove any interfering precordial lead electrodes
and lead wires.
Shock hazard.
Conductive gel (wet or dry) on the paddle handles can allow the electrical energy to discharge
through the operator during defibrillation. Completely clean the paddle electrode surfaces,
handles, and storage area after defibrillation.
Possible patient skin burns.
During defibrillation, air pockets between the skin and standard paddles can cause patient skin
burns. Completely cover paddle electrode surfaces with fresh conductive gel and apply 11.3 kg
(25 lb) of pressure per paddle during discharge.
Possible paddle damage and patient skin burns.
Discharging the defibrillator with the standard paddle surfaces shorted together can pit or
damage the paddle electrode surface. Pitted or damaged paddle surfaces may cause patient
skin burns during defibrillation. Discharge the defibrillator only as described in these operating
instructions.
Possible burns and ineffective energy delivery.
A gel pathway on the skin between the standard paddles will cause defibrillating energy to arc
between paddles and divert energy away from the heart muscle. Do not allow conductive gel
(wet or dry) to become continuous between paddle sites.
Possible damage to defibrillator and defibrillator shutdown.
When used in conjunction with another defibrillator to deliver more than 360J, one or both
defibrillators may be damaged and shutdown may occur due to excessive currents. Avoid
simultaneous discharge from both defibrillators and maintain a backup defibrillator in case one
or both defibrillators shut down. If the defibrillator shuts down, take the defibrillator out of service
and contact a qualified service technician.