Abstract 343: Effect of Periodic Inspection on Maintenance of the Public Automated External Defibrillators

Introduction and purposes: Communities need to pay attention to the maintenance of public access defibrillators (PADs) installed in their jurisdictions to ensure that the PADs are always available. The purpose of this study is to assess the maintenance status of the PAD and to investigate the effect of periodic inspections on the maintenance status of the PAD. Methods: From 2013 to 2018, PADs installed in Seoul Metropolitan area were eligible. After an 8-hour PAD inspection training, an inspector visited the PAD site once a year to check the defibrillator. The inspector checked the maintenance status of the PAD using the checklist and conducted a questionnaire on PAD management from the PAD manager. At the end of inspection, the inspector gave an instruction on PAD maintenance and usage to the person in charge. Results: A total of 18,011 PADs including 3,134 in 2013, 3402 in 2014, 5622 in 2015, 5909 in 2016, 5552 in 2017, and 3615 in 2018 were inspected. During study period, there was a tendency to improve accessibility to PAD including obstacles around the defibrillator (from 9.3% in 2013 to 0.8% in 2018, p trend=0.006) and installation of PAD signs (from 34.3% in 2013 to 99.9% in 2018, p trend=0.007). Maintenance status of PAD was improved in terms of normal operation (from 94.0% in 2013 to 99.7% in 2018, p trend=0.010), normal battery charge status (from 95.6% in 2013 to 99.7% in 2018, p trend=0.037), and availability of valid electrodes (from 97.1% in 2013 to 99.8% in 2018, p trend=0.035). There was no difference in the frequency of actual use to the victims (from 0.7% in 2013 to 1.1% in 2018, p trend=0.803). Conclusions: Periodic inspections improve maintenance status of the PAD and its availability.