Physio-Control LIFEPAK 15 - Manual (Page 117)

THERAPY
5
©2007-2013 Physio-Control, Inc. LIFEPAK 15 Monitor/Defibrillator Operating Instructions
5-3
General Therapy Warnings and Cautions
WARNINGS
SHOCK HAZARDS
SHOCK HAZARD
The defibrillator delivers up to 360 joules of electrical energy. When discharging the
defibrillator, do not touch the paddle electrode surfaces or disposable therapy
electrodes.
SHOCK HAZARD
If a person is touching the patient, bed, or any conductive material in contact with the
patient during defibrillation, the delivered energy may be partially discharged through
that person. Clear everyone away from contact with the patient, bed, and other
conductive material before discharging the defibrillator.
SHOCK HAZARD
Do not discharge the defibrillator into the open air. To remove an unwanted charge,
change the energy selection, select disarm, or turn off the defibrillator.
BURN AND INEFFECTIVE ENERGY DELIVERY HAZARDS
POSSIBLE FIRE, BURNS, AND INEFFECTIVE ENERGY DELIVERY
Do not discharge standard paddles on top of therapy electrodes or ECG electrodes. Do
not allow standard paddles (or therapy electrodes) to touch each other, ECG
electrodes, lead wires, dressings, transdermal patches, etc. Such contact can cause
electrical arcing and patient skin burns during defibrillation and may divert
defibrillating energy away from the heart muscle.
POSSIBLE SKIN BURNS AND INEFFECTIVE ENERGY DELIVERY
Therapy electrodes that are dried out or damaged may cause electrical arcing and
patient skin burns during defibrillation. Do not use therapy electrodes that have been
removed from foil package for more than 24 hours. Do not use electrodes beyond
Use By date. Check that electrode adhesive is intact and undamaged. Replace adult
therapy electrodes after 50 shocks or pediatric therapy electrodes after 25 shocks.
POSSIBLE SKIN BURNS
During defibrillation or pacing, air pockets between the skin and therapy electrodes
may cause patient skin burns. Apply therapy electrodes so that entire electrode
adheres to skin. Do not reposition the electrodes once applied. If the position must be
changed, remove and replace with new electrodes.