Jeonnam Province Launches Inspection to Maintain Automated External Defibrillators for Golden Time Preservation

Safety Inspection on Equipment Proper Operation and Installation Location

Jeonnam Province will conduct a safety inspection on the management status of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), which are rapid response devices that help maintain the golden time during emergencies such as cardiac arrest.

According to the province on the 14th, this inspection will be carried out until the 15th of next month, targeting institutions with AED installations operating in eight counties: Damyang, Hwasun, Jangheung, Haenam, Yeongam, Muan, Yeonggwang, and Jindo.

An AED is a medical device that restores normal heart rhythm through electric shocks and can be easily used not only by medical professionals but also by the general public after receiving training.

The "Emergency Medical Services Act" mandates that AEDs must be compulsorily installed in public health medical institutions, ambulances operated by emergency medical teams, apartment complexes with more than 500 households, ships over 20 tons, and workplaces with more than 300 employees, considering the importance of initial emergency treatment for patients who have suffered cardiac arrest or loss of heart function.

The main inspection points include ▲whether the equipment is functioning properly ▲appropriateness of installation location ▲designation of management personnel and completion of training ▲whether self-inspections are conducted at least once a month ▲validity period of pads and battery replacement schedule.

Issues that can be immediately corrected based on the inspection results will be addressed on-site, and facilities requiring repair or replacement will be given a correction period, with follow-up checks to confirm compliance.

Lee Byung-chul, Director of the Safety Policy Division of Jeonnam Province, said, “About 80% of cardiac arrest patients occur at home or in public places, and rapid defibrillation can increase survival rates by three times. We will thoroughly manage AEDs so that residents can quickly use them in emergencies.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.