Therapy – Physio-Control LIFEPAK 15 User Manual

Page 149

THERAPY

LIFEPAK 15 Monitor/Defibrillator Operating Instructions

5-35

11.To stop pacing, reduce current to zero or press

PACER

Note:

To defibrillate and stop noninvasive pacing, press

CHARGE

. Pacing automatically stops.

Proceed with defibrillation.

The physiologic state of the patient may affect the likelihood of successful pacing or of skeletal

muscle activity. The failure to successfully pace a patient is not a reliable indicator of pacemaker

performance. Similarly, the patient’s muscular response to pacing is not a reliable indicator of

current delivered.

If the monitor detects

ECG LEADS OFF

during pacing, pacing automatically switches to nondemand

and continues at a fixed rate until the ECG lead is reattached. During nondemand pacing, the

pacemaker delivers pulses at the set pace rate regardless of any intrinsic beats that the patient may

have. The monitor continues to display the pacing rate (ppm) and the current (mA). To reestablish

demand pacing, reattach the ECG lead.

While pacing, visually monitor the patient at all times—do not rely on the

ECG LEADS OFF

warning to

detect changes in pacing function. Routinely assess for proper ECG sensing, pace pulse delivery,

electrical capture, and mechanical capture.

If pacing electrodes detach during pacing, you see

CONNECT ELECTRODES

and

PACING STOPPED

messages and hear an alarm. The pacing rate is maintained and the current resets to 0 mA.

Reattaching the pacing electrodes silences the alarm and removes the

CONNECT ELECTRODES

message. The current remains at 0 mA until you increase the current manually.

To turn off the LIFEPAK 15 monitor/defibrillator, pacing must be stopped. If the

button is

pressed when

PACER

is active, an alert tone sounds and the

PACING IN PROGRESS

message appears.

WARNING

POSSIBLE PATIENT SKIN BURNS

Prolonged noninvasive pacing may cause patient skin irritation and burns, especially

with higher pacing current levels. Discontinue noninvasive pacing if skin becomes

burned and another method of pacing is available. For additional information about