Evaluation of defibrillators

Abstract

'Health Equipment Information' ('HEI') No. 101, published last year, contained a report on the UK Health Departments’ continuing comparative evaluation programme of defibrillators. The programme is being carried out within the Sheffield and Rotherham Area Health Authorities; safety and performance are being assessed by the Department of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering at Sheffield University and user assessments are being performed at two of the AHA's hospitals: the District General Hospital, Rotherham and the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield. ‘HEP No. 101 covers five models: Cardiac Recorders’ 2006; Datamedix's (Becton Dickinson) Stat VI (from Deva Medical Electronics Ltd); Hewlett-Packard's 78620 A; Physio-ControFs Lifepak 5; and Simonsen & Weel's DMS 600. Extracts from ‘HEF No. 101 follow; the Editors are grateful for the DHSS's permission to publish this.