Bad Shock: Automated Devices for Jolting Hearts May Save Fewer Lives in Hospitals

New research suggests that newer automated defibrillators may save fewer lives than the older, low-tech models, and shortcomings of the equipment lead to around 1,000 deaths in hospitals each year. Soon after the American Heart Association recommended hospitals switch the automated devices, problems with the devices began to arise, such as the failure to turn on, or sudden shut-downs. Statistics also show that the new devices are failing to improve the quickness of which the first shock is delivered as “many less-skilled nurses apparently find it intimidating to operate any defibrillator, and balk at using even the simpler, newer machines.” https://www.fairwarning.org/2011/11/bad-shock-automated-devices-for-failing-hearts-may-save-fewer-lives-in-hospitals/