Why Do AED Defibrillator Pads Expire?

Why Do AED Pads Expire?

Following are guidelines that will help you satisfy the Americans with Disability Act (ADA).

If you manage an automated external defibrillator (AED) program, you know that pads have an expiration date. Here we share a little more on why they expire.

Good Skin Contact for AED Pads is a Must

For an AED to provide the right kind of therapy to a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) victim, the AED pads must make proper contact with the patient’s skin. With good contact, the AED is able to correctly analyze the patient’s heart rhythm and determine whether the patient is in sudden cardiac arrest or not. Additionally, proper contact by the AED pads is necessary for the AED to deliver lifesaving shock therapy.

AED Pads use Gel for Adhesion

To help AED pads adhere to the skin properly, a gel is applied to the pads when they are manufactured. By seeping into the pores of the skin, the gel acts as a bonding agent between the sudden cardiac arrest victim and the AED pads. However, over time, the gel begins to dry out and the chemical makeup of the gel breaks down. If AED pads are used beyond their expiration date, they will not adhere to the skin as well, particularly when cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is done. During CPR compressions, AED pads with poor adhesion may pull away from the skin, thus reducing the chances that the AED will provide effective analysis and therapy.

The Solution – AED Pads Expiration Dates

Because of the chemical breakdown of the gel in the defibrillator pads, the manufacturers of AED pads cannot guarantee that the pads will have enough adhesion to work properly after a certain amount of time has passed. Therefore, the pads have an expiration date to help ensure that sudden cardiac arrest patients have the best possible chance of survival. Typical life expectancy of AED pads are between 18 and 30 months. Therefore, it is vital to conduct routine maintenance and supply checks of all your AED units and medical emergency supply kits to ensure that your AED program is in compliance. The risk of not doing so could cost someone his or her life.

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