SAFETY ALERT – LifePak Defibrillators

More than 10,000 defibrillators in the UK may be affected by a fault, which means they will not work in an emergency. The defibrillators for use in public places like railway stations and schools have a potentially faulty component and might not deliver an electric shock in an emergency. The defibrillators reported to have the defects are: LifePak CR Plus, LifePak Express and LifePak 5000. The manufacturer, Physio-Control, has sent a safety alert to those with the devices concerned, urging them to check the battery connection.

The defibrillators are intended for use by anyone in public places and can be found in schools, airports, leisure centres, hospitals, clinics and ambulances. Physio-Control said it had received 34 reports of incidents where customers had attempted to use the defibrillator and it had shut down unexpectedly during treatment. The MHRA said the fault was caused by an intermittent connection between the battery and device contacts because of wear and corrosion. This could fail to deliver an electric shock to resuscitate a patient, it said. The fault was caused by an internal component that could become stuck in the closed position. The MHRA said any users who had yet to receive the safety alert should contact Physio-Control directly.

Guidelines for recommended use say LIFEPAK 1000 batteries should be removed and reinstalled every week.

Carry out a safety check on your devices and arrange for the component to be replaced.

If you have not received the manufacturer’s safety alert, locate the serial number on the label on the back of the device and call the manufacturer’s customer support number or visit their website to seek further advice.

If you have any questions, or have not got the manufacturer’s safety alert, call Physio Control’s customer support on 0808 258 0094.