Question NW1258 to the Minister of Health
31 July 2017 - NW1258
Carter, Ms D to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Whether he can confirm if all defibrillators in all government hospitals have been replaced with automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which are the new approved machines for resuscitation; if not, (a) what is the position in this regard and (b) by what date will the process be completed; if so, will he provide Ms D Carter with a list including the (i) name of the hospital, (ii) total number of AEDs for each hospital and (iii) replacement date in each case; (2) are new employees who are trained to operate AEDs capable of operating the current defibrillatorsthat are still in use?
Reply:
1.(a) (b) (i) (ii) (iii)
There is currently no regulation, which requires the phasing-out of all defibrillators and replacing them with AEDs. The Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are the recommended cardiac resuscitation equipment in areas where there is high possibility of witnessed cardiac arrest and can be used by a trained lay rescuer. That is why the department is ensuring that they are acquired for clinics and identified areas in hospitals. However, defibrillators continue to be the preferred cardiac resuscitation equipment in other medical sections in hospitals as they offer more options including pacing and pulse monitoring.
The department acknowledges the proven advantages of using Biphasic defibrillators over monophasic defibrillators and therefore continue to replace monophasic defibrillators with biphasic defibrillators, which provide results with less energy and are more efficient. The department has also ensured that those life support equipment are available on transversal contracts (RT4 and RT2) through National Treasury to provide end-users easy access to acquire. I.e. AEDs and Biphasic defibrillators (with AED mode).
(2) Application specialist training is arranged for every life-support equipment procured by the department therefore employees are trained on the current biphasic defibrillators in hospitals.
END.