Defibrillator

 Troubleshooting  and  Repair  

Description  
 Text  Box   Comments  
 
Start:  Defibrillator  
1   Begin  diagnostic  process  for  a  work  order  on  Defibrillator  
Troubleshooting.        

Is  the  defibrillator  free  of  any   Inspect  defibrillator  for  external  cracks,  broken  switch,  knobs  and  
2  
external  damage/defects?   indicators.  

Identify  and  replace  damaged   See  BTA  skill  set  on  Switches  and  Lighting/Indicators  to  identify  and  
3  
switches,  indicators.   replace  damaged  switches  and  indicators.  

Examine  casing,  pads  and  cables  of  defibrillator  for  gel  and  dirt.  Refer  
Clean  casing,  pads  using  
4   BTA  skill  set  on  Cleaning  to  clean  the  defibrillator.  If  necessary,  
Alcohol.  
address  damage  to  casing  with  BTA  skills  on  Casing.  

Does  the  defibrillator  power  

5   Power  the  device  from  ac  line  and  turn  it  on.  
on  from  ac  power  line?  

Inspect  AC  adapter  cable  for  

See  BTA  skill  set  on  Connections  and  Connectors  for  identifying  and  
6   cuts,  broken  wires  and  
replacing  damaged  cables.  
replace  if  necessary.  

Inspect  and  fix  broken  wires   Inspect  wires  and  connections  from  power  supply  circuit  board  to  
7   or  bad  connections  inside  the   other  boards  using  multimeter.  See  BTA  skill  set  on  Connections  for  
defibrillator.   identifying  and  fixing  broken  wires  and  bad  connections.  

Identify  and  replace  blown  

8   See  BTA  skill  set  on  Fuse  to  identify  and  replace  blown  fuse.  
fuse.  

Most  defibrillators  can  power  on  from  battery  and  ac  power  mains.  
9   Troubleshoot  power  supply.  
See  flowchart  on  Power  Supply,  and  BTA  skills  on  Power  Supply.  

Disconnect  defibrillator  from  ac  power  line.  Turn  the  device  on.  
Does  the  defibrillator  power  
10   If  battery/status  indicator  is  red  then  battery  needs  to  be  
•
on  with  battery?  
charged  or  replaced  (non-­‐rechargeable).  
• If  defibrillator  fails  to  power  on  then  battery  is  fully  depleted  
or  damaged.  
Recharge  battery  if  applicable   See  BTA  skill  set  on  Batteries  to  replace  and  identify  damaged  
11  
or  replace  it.   batteries.  

Troubleshoot  charging  circuit  

See  BTA  skill  set  on  Transformer  and  Regulators  to  troubleshoot  
12   if  battery  doesn't  or  charges  
charging  circuit.  
very  slowly.  

Power  the  device  from  ac  line  and  turn  it  on.  The  device  will  run  an  
13   Run  the  defibrillator  self-­‐test.  
automatic  self-­‐test.  

Does  display  show  error  or   The  result  of  the  self-­‐test  will  be  displayed  (on  the  screen)  or  status  
14  
status  indicator  is  red?   indicator  will  change  red/green.  
 Are  the  defibrillator  paddles   The  paddles  should  be  clean  and  dry.  Inspect  the  pad  cables  and  
15  
and  cables  damaged,  wet?   connectors  for  cuts  and  broken  wires.  

Does  the  defibrillator  use  

16   Paddle  electrodes  consist  of  a  metal  paddle  with  an  insulated  handle.  
paddle  electrodes?  

Clean  paddles  using  alcohol.  

Paddle  electrodes  are  reusable  and  should  be  cleaned  after  every  use.  
17   See  BTA  skill  set  on  Connections  and  Connectors  for  identifying  and  
Identify  and  replace  damaged  
replacing  damaged  cables.  
paddles  and  cables.  

Replace  the  Self-­‐adhesive  

18   Self-­‐adhesive  electrodes  should  be  replaced  after  every  use.  
electrode.  

Does  the  hospital  have  a   Defibrillator  testing  can  be  done  on  a  commercial  tester  or  a  large  
19  
defibrillator  tester?   piece  of  meat.  

Connect  pads  to  defibrillator  analyzer.  Select  energy  and  press  charge  
Test  defibrillator  using  the   button.  Once  charged  push  discharge  button.  Record  delivered  energy  
20  
defibrillator  tester.   from  display  of  defibrillator  analyzer.  Repeat  the  procedure  for  
different  energy  levels.  

Is  delivered  energy  >=  limit  

set  by  manufacturer  (refer   Improper  functioning  of  internal  circuitry  if  the  defibrillator  delivers  
21  
manual)  for  different  energy   less  or  no  energy  than  the  limit  set  by  manufacturer.    
levels?  

Set  energy  to  maximum  and  press  charge  button.  Once  charged  place  
Test  the  defibrillator  using  a   pads  on  a  large  piece  of  meat.  Press  discharge  button.  Repeat  the  
22  
large  piece  of  meat.   procedure  10  times.  The  piece  of  meat  should  be  large  enough  so  that  
the  defibrillator  paddles  can  be  placed  greater  than  6  inches  apart.  

Are  there  no  burn  marks  on   Failure  of  internal  circuitry  if  no  burn  marks  are  found  on  the  piece  of  
23  
the  meat  (after  10  shocks)?   meat.  

Refer  equipment  to  device    Refer  equipment  to  device  manufacturer  for  possible  repair  and  
24  
manufacturer.         replacement  of  internal  circuitry  components.  

Perform  preventive  
maintenance  on  defibrillator.   Defibrillator  is  working  properly.  Perform  preventive  maintenance  
25  
Return  defibrillator  to  clinical   before  returning  the  device  to  clinical  personnel.    
personnel.