This article dives into the importance of AED maintenance and discusses how software can be a tool for improving those efforts.

The Purpose of AEDs

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are portable medical devices that are used to help people experiencing cardiac arrest. Their purpose is to deliver electric shocks that can stabilize heart rhythms and ultimately save lives. 

So what makes AEDs so valuable?

AEDs are pieces of life-saving medical equipment designed to be usable by virtually any person in the event of an emergency. They are meant to help prolong an individual’s life while first responders are contacted and make their way to the emergency site. Automated external defibrillators are commonly found in hospitals and other public buildings, so that they can readily be used in the event of an emergency.

The Importance of Regular AED Maintenance

Regular AED maintenance is crucial because AEDs can drastically increase the likelihood of survival for individuals who undergo cardiac arrest. Don’t believe it? Just look at the stats. 

According to studies, people who receive defibrillation within the first couple of minutes of cardiac arrest can have survival rates as high as 70%. Additionally, AEDs have been shown to dramatically increase chances of life in situations with cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CPR on its own has only about a 7% survival rate. However, when CPR and AED are combined, survival rates skyrocket to 33% which is more than a 400% increase compared to CPR alone. Not only this, but Myron Weisfeldt, a distinguished American cardiologist has said, “We estimate that about 1,700 lives are saved in the United States per year by bystanders using an AED.” 

As is evidenced by the numbers, AEDs can play an important role in increasing the chances of survival for someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. However, these machines need to be accessible and well maintained in order to be effective. AEDs can only save lives if they work properly in the moment they are needed. 

Ensuring that AEDs are in optimal working condition involves a number of things such as frequent inspections, battery replacements, pad updates, and adherence to regulatory standards. Though this may seem like a lot, proper maintenance can guarantee the device’s reliability while also ensuring compliance and promoting safety.

AED Maintenance - Automatic External Defibrillator
AED Maintenance - Automatic External Defibrillator

Challenges of Traditional AED Maintenance Practices

AED maintenance comes with multiple components, some of which can be difficult to complete properly or stay on top of. It can help to be aware of these challenges. 

When it comes to AED maintenance, some of the biggest issues that building managers and employees encounter include: 

  • Inconsistent Record-Keeping: Traditionally, most records have been kept on physical paper records and spreadsheets. However, this form of documentation can be difficult to keep organized. Disorganized record keeping commonly results in incomplete/inaccurate records or challenges gathering documents to prove compliance. 
  • Missed Inspections: Without an automated scheduling system, inspections can easily be overlooked. Buildings often have lots of different inspection schedules to keep track of, and AED inspections may get missed if there isn’t a reliable way to track when they were last completed and when the next one is needed. 
  • Human Error: Manual processes are susceptible to errors such as incorrect data entry, forgotten inspections, and overlooked maintenance tasks. While employees may do their best, there can still be issues that arise from cut corners, a faulty memory, and more. 
  • Time-Consuming Processes: Documenting maintenance activities manually requires significant time and effort. This can take precious time away from other responsibilities. It can also result in employees feeling pressure to rush or entirely skip maintenance tasks.

Thankfully, AED maintenance software can be used to circumvent these common issues. The following section dives into how software can meet these needs and truly add value.

How AED Maintenance Software Addresses These Challenges

AED maintenance software provides a range of solutions for the limitations of traditional maintenance practices. By automating and streamlining the maintenance process, software ensures that AEDs are consistently monitored and maintained. This enhances their reliability and readiness, in the event of an emergency.

1. Digital Checklists for Consistency

A prominent issue with AED maintenance is inconsistent record keeping. Software addresses this issue by providing digital checklists and steps that prompt the user to input information, perform steps, and fill our records. These help to standardize the inspection process. With this guided record completion, it is much more likely for inspectors to follow consistent protocols for each AED. This consistency minimizes the risk of missing essential maintenance tasks and ensures that every AED meets safety standards.

2. Automated Scheduling and Reminders

Another issue that software helps manage is keeping a regular inspection schedule. With AED maintenance software, it’s simple to see a record of previous inspections, look at upcoming inspections, and to schedule future inspections/maintenance tasks. Automated reminders notify maintenance teams of upcoming inspections, battery replacements, and pad updates, ensuring that no maintenance activity is missed. This proactive approach helps organizations stay compliant with regulatory standards and guarantees that AEDs are always ready for use.

3. Enhanced Accuracy and Reduced Human Error

A common problem found in manual reporting is inaccuracies due to human error. Thankfully, software is able to help with this! AED maintenance software guides users through the inspection process, with prompts about taking pictures, inputting information, and reporting any issues. This helps ensure that all relevant information is accurately recorded and stored, resulting in a reliable historical record of maintenance activities. This accuracy is crucial for compliance audits and safety assessments.

4. Real-Time Data Collection and Reporting

A frequent barrier to AED maintenance is the fact that it can be a time consuming process. However, inspection software can help cut down on the time needed for AED maintenance by allowing for real-time data collection on mobile devices. This allows inspectors to document their findings on-site, including photos, notes, and test results. With software, inspections can be performed and recorded in minutes, much faster than the manual process.

Key Features of InspectNTrack’s AED Inspection Software

While many inspection softwares may have some of the following features, InspectNTrack stands out thanks to its user-focused design and product offerings. 

When it comes to safety inspections, InspectNTrack is changing the game. Here are some of the most loved InspectNTrack features for AED maintenance and inspections.

Because there is a mobile InspectNTrack app, our software can be used on any device that runs on iOS, Windows, or Android. It works with mobile phones, desktop computers, tablets, handheld scanners and more. This means that workers can carry the technology with them on the job site, in their pocket, vest, or hand. This helps users stay up-to-date on the most recent data and remain situationally aware.

A cool feature of InspectNTrack’s software is the fact that it doesn’t need wifi to function or update. Inspections can be completed from any mobile device with no data connection required. This enables users to perform AED maintenance or inspections and record them digitally in real time. This helps remove the hassle of papers and filling out reports manually. Plus, it can be used in hazardous areas, remote areas, and everything in between.

INT software offers a centralized data platform, meaning that all data for AED devices and other safety equipment can be stored in a single place. This helps to keep data organized and easily retrievable in the event of an audit. Within seconds, reports can be pulled up, shared, or printed.

 Every software takes some getting used to. However, INT software has been designed to help users figure out their work flow and adapt to using software in their operations. Thanks to images, clear wording, and easily navigable pages, INT software is an intuitive tool for most users. This makes it easy for workers, supervisors, and safety professionals to access and utilize the features seamlessly.

InspectNTrack software can be used to stay up to date on both inspections and required maintenance. The system automatically schedules upcoming inspections for equipment and systems to ensure that they are routinely completed. Scheduled inspections can be made according to company criteria. For example, inspections can be grouped together based on area, timing, or shifts. Additionally, an assignment can be completed by one person, or technicians can work together to complete an assignment. This feature helps remove the pain of managing various inspection schedules for different kinds of equipment, making compliance that much easier.

If there are any reported issues during inspections, the system will notify users of needed actions. These notifications encourage a prompt response to issues and help promote safety. Workers and managers alike can see what tasks need to be done and coordinate accordingly.

With InspectNTrack software, authorized users can easily create their own inspection steps, inspection routes, and maintenance procedures. This information is then connected with a QR on the equipment it is meant for. When users scan the equipment’s QR code, the necessary information will immediately come up, making it easy to perform the correct steps on assigned machinery/gadgets.

Whether you are a small facility or a large corporation with multiple job sites, it is not uncommon to have several pieces of equipment that need inspections and maintenance. Keeping track of these assets can be tricky. Software can help by tracking the location and status of each piece of equipment (including AEDs), as well as their accessories.

 

There are many other aspects of InspectNTrack that make it the ideal AED maintenance/inspections app. To learn more about other features, talk to a specialist here.

AED Maintenance - Machine in a Box on the Wall

Benefits of Using Software for AED Maintenance

As mentioned before, there are many reasons to perform maintenance on AEDs, including ensuring that systems function properly, to prepare for emergencies and to maximize the lifespan of equipment. However, this section will highlight the advantages of using software to perform those inspections. All of these benefits and more are available to those who use InspectNTrack’s inspection software.

For any safety program to thrive, it needs to have a sense of order. With software, you can leave behind the hassle of manual reporting and reap the benefits of a structured system. There’s no need for Excel spreadsheets, loose papers, or calendars for inspection scheduling. This makes it much easier to record AED inspections as they occur, keep the data organized, and retrieve information when necessary.

Transparency is a key component of any robust safety inspection program. By utilizing InspectNTrack software, inspectors can generate detailed, timestamped digital reports that include photographs, notes, and any identified issues. Since the software automatically updates without wifi, team members can access this data in real time. This transparency fosters trust among stakeholders and ensures that necessary actions are taken promptly to address safety concerns.

Efficiency is a high priority for virtually all companies and organizations. Thankfully, software is changing the game when it comes to efficiency. Automation and digitization help to significantly streamline the inspection process. Instead of relying solely on manual checks, inspectors can use software to schedule inspections, access digital checklists, and more. With InspectNTrack’s AED maintenance app, it is quicker and easier than ever before to perform inspections.

Accuracy is another crucial aspect of cultivating a safe workplace. One of the biggest ways that INT software fosters greater accuracy in reporting is the fact that it is all digital. This helps to reduce human error, because there aren’t any misplaced or lost documents. All system data and history is stored in a centralized platform, therefore reducing the risk of lost information.

Thorough reporting and documentation are needed for companies and organizations to be able to prove their compliance during audits. InspectNTrack’s AED inspection app simplifies compliance by providing automated scheduling of inspections and action triggers for identified issues that need attention. These features help managers ensure that an inspection schedule is kept up with and that problems are addressed, making OSHA compliance that much easier.

  1. Finances are a huge focus for most companies, afterall it is their livelihood. Software can help boost savings by reducing the time needed to complete maintenance tasks and extending the lifespan of equipment. Not only that, but improved compliance efforts help organizations avoid fines and potentially costly repairs from emergencies. While there is a cost associated with investing in software, it pales in comparison to the return on investment that companies can gain. 

Software is a powerful force for improving AED maintenance and inspection efforts.

How to Implement AED Software Effectively

For organizations interested in adopting AED maintenance software, the following steps can help optimize implementation:

  • Choose the Right Software: InspectNTrack software won’t be the right product for everyone. However, our software solution is tailored to work well for AED maintenance, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting/signs, valves, and so much more!  Its features, such as automated scheduling, real-time monitoring, inventory tracking, and compliance reporting, make it an ideal software for managing AEDs.
  • Train Staff on Usage: The better employees understand software and properly use it, the more it can improve company processes and lead to insights. Ensure that the maintenance team and relevant personnel are trained on how to use the software effectively. 
  • Regularly Review Maintenance Data: In order to get the best results, regularly review the reports and analytics generated by the software to identify trends or potential issues. This proactive approach helps keep maintenance programs efficient and responsive.
  • Integrate with Emergency Response Plans: Incorporate AED maintenance software into the organization’s broader emergency preparedness plan. A well-maintained AED network supported by reliable software can enhance emergency response and readiness.

Invest in InspectNTrack Software

Want to learn more about what InspectNTrack is and how it can help with AED maintenance and inspections? If so, connect with our team by requesting a demo! Our team of specialists are happy to set up a meeting to help you determine if INT software is right for your company’s needs. We believe in the power of our product to change the way safety is approached in the workplace and want to answer any questions you have. You may have come looking for AED software, but InspectNTrack can do a whole lot more than that. We have a multitude of solution offerings, and hope that you will give us the chance to show just what InspectNTrack can do!

AED Maintenance - Automatic External Defibrillator

Conclusion

AEDs are indispensable tools for saving lives during cardiac emergencies. However, their effectiveness depends on diligent maintenance. Software is an incredible tool that can revolutionize how organizations manage these life-saving devices. Some features and benefits of using software for AED maintenance and inspections include automating inspections, ensuring compliance, and providing real-time monitoring and reporting. By leveraging technology, businesses, schools, and other facilities can enhance the reliability and readiness of their AEDs, ultimately contributing to a safer and more prepared environment. Investing in AED maintenance software not only simplifies maintenance processes but also ensures that these critical devices are always ready to perform when needed most.

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