Therapy
4-2 LIFEPAK 20 Defibrillator/Monitor Operating Instructions
GENERAL THERAPY WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
WARNINGS!
Shock hazard.
The defibrillator delivers up to 360 J 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.
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 defibrillator shutdown.
When operating on battery power, the large current draw required for defibrillator charging may cause
the defibrillator to reach a shutdown voltage level with no low battery warning. If the defibrillator shuts
down without warning, or if a
LOW BATTERY: CONNECT TO AC POWER message appears on the monitor
screen, immediately connect the AC power cord to an outlet.
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.
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 expiration date. Check that electrode adhesive is intact
and undamaged. Replace therapy electrodes after 50 shocks.
Possible interference with implanted electrical device.
Defibrillation may cause implanted devices to malfunction. Place standard paddles or therapy
electrodes away from implanted devices if possible. Check implanted device function after
defibrillation.
CAUTION!
Possible equipment damage.
Prior to using this defibrillator, disconnect all equipment from the patient that is not defibrillator-
protected.
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