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Revised: March 15, 2006. |
Heartstream FR2 information is available along with First Aid and Training Kits at our Chapter. For information call (609) 646-8330 or email us at info@acredcross.org for purchasing information. If you are outside of the Atlantic and Cumberland County, New Jersey area, please contact your local chapter. To find your local Red Cross Chapter go to www.redcross.org.
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FR2 Overview
The FR2 automated external defibrillator (AED) is portable, lightweight, virtually anyone can be trained to operate this life-saving device for administering first aid immediately to a victim of sudden cardiac arrest, and the FR2 is the only AED cleared for use on people of all ages.
Due to its easy-to-use design, superior technology and affordability, AEDs are now being placed in a wide range of settings such as hospitals and clinics, offices and industrial locations, airports and airplanes, schools, government buildings, health clubs and golf courses. This innovative AED technology has also enabled a broader range of people beyond community EMS professionals to provide lifesaving therapy.
The FR2 AED operates with long-life maintenance-free, lithium manganese batteries, which are designed specifically for high-volume consumer applications, where safety and reliability are of the utmost importance. The FR2 performs daily automated self-tests that check readiness for use. Other features include easy-to-follow voice prompts, and a bright LCD display to reinforce the voice prompts, making it easy to use in noisy or dark settings; the FR2 also has enhanced features that can be enabled for improved hand-off to advanced life support (ALS) responders. Additionally, the FR2 has on-board training capabilities when used with the fully rechargeable Training and Administration Pack. This allows users to safely train on the FR2 using realistic training scenarios.
The FR2 AED incorporates a number of breakthrough technologies that distinguish it from other AEDs on the market, including the Philips' low-energy SMART Biphasic technology. Additionally, the SMART Analysis system automatically determines if a shock is required and protects against inappropriate delivery of a shock. This feature eliminates the need for the operator to be trained in reading and interpreting the patient's electrocardiogram (ECG).
Questions to Consider When Evaluating an AED
Does the automated external defibrillator (AED) have features that will help targeted responders use the device effectively in an emergency situation?
An AED must help the trained lay responder coordinate the resuscitation as quickly and calmly as possible. Ambiguous pad placement icons, slow device response, and confusing voice commands can mean the difference between life and death.
The Heartstream AED initiates each phase of the resuscitation with unambiguous voice commands and clear, readable text prompts. Even before the device has been turned on, the simple "1-2-3" layout of the device guides users to a rapid response. In an out-of-hospital study, the overall average time from Heartstream AED power-on to the delivery of the first shock was 39 seconds. These results were reported on a group of non-traditional users with a wide variety of experience levels, including first-time users. In previously published studies of experienced EMT users, the average reported time from AED power-on to first shock delivery was 1.1 minutes. 1
Does the AED provide timely alerts to the first responder if a second shock is required?
Frequently, a patient will lapse back into a life-threatening heart rhythm even after a successful shock. This is called refibrillation. Timely response to refibrillation is vital because every minute of delay until defibrillation diminishes the chance of survival by approximately 10%. The Heartstream AED provides continuous monitoring of the patient's heart rhythm and will alert the responder quickly if a shockable rhythm is detected.
Does the AED display ECG information?
When emergency responders, such as paramedics, arrive at the scene, the most important information they require to assess patient status is the ECG (or electrocardiogram). Extra steps such as switching the patient over to a manual defibrillator can unnecessarily delay advanced treatment. The Heartstream AED prominently displays the ECG along with other important information such as heart rate, total number of shocks delivered, length of time the device has been in use, and on-scene event review. This allows the medical professional to view not just current status, but also a chronology of events from the rescue attempt. When every second counts, accurate vital information is critical.
Does the AED have a system to accurately detect life-threatening arrhythmias and deliver therapy?
While all AEDs have a system to detect life-threatening arrhythmias and deliver therapy, not all systems are the same. The Heartstream AED uses an electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis system-SMART Analysis-to provide an exceptional level of accuracy, which greatly reduces the possibility of inappropriate delivery of a shock. The SMART Analysis system was tested against 3,000 ECG rhythms, which were reviewed and classified as shockable and non-shockable by three independent, board-certified cardiologists. The Heartstream AED exceeded the performance requirements for both the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) and the American Heart Association's (AHA) standards for specificity and sensitivity.
Does the AED continuously display its readiness for use?
Do you want an AED that can let you know when certain problems occur, such as low battery, but cannot alert you to other problems such as a dead battery? The Heartstream AED is designed to conduct its own self-test functions and it is the only AED with a dynamic, status indicator that continuously tells you at a glance that it is ready for use. Once the battery pack is installed, Heartstream AED automatically initiates daily self-readiness checks. With the Heartstream AED, you can be certain that it will perform when a life is on the line.
Does the AED require routine maintenance that takes it out of service?
Many AEDs require manual testing with external devices and periodic calibration, in some cases by factory service personnel. This can be time consuming and require costly service contracts. Automatic self-testing routinely verifies 47 points of calibration in the Heartstream AED. External devices aren't required, and there is no need to ever take the Heartstream AED out of service for routine maintenance. Why incur the expense and hassle of taking a defibrillator out of active duty on a routine basis?
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