Defibrillator Readiness: The Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Checks That Matter
A defibrillator that fails its moment is worse than no defibrillator at all, because everyone assumed it was covered. Readiness is a routine, not a feature. Here is the schedule used across well-run facilities, adaptable to AEDs and manual units alike.
Daily (or every shift)
- Status indicator: confirm the ready light / status window shows a pass. This one glance catches the majority of failures.
- Physical check: unit in its designated place, visible, unobstructed, clean.
Weekly
- Battery status: charge level and no service indicators. Note install date against the manufacturer’s replacement interval.
- Pads/electrodes: sealed, undamaged, and in date — expired pads are the most common inspection failure in the field.
- Accessories: spare pads, razor/shears, and (for manual units) cables and paddles present and intact.
Monthly
- Documented self-test review: check the device’s self-test log, and record the check — an unlogged check didn’t happen, as far as any surveyor is concerned.
- Manual-unit function test: per manufacturer procedure, verify energy delivery into a tester if your biomed program includes one.
- Recall check: a two-minute search of the FDA recall database for your model, quarterly at minimum.
Annually
Full preventive maintenance per the manufacturer — energy verification, battery replacement as scheduled, firmware updates, and inspection by a qualified biomedical technician.
One more thing: state AED rules
Many states require registered AED programs, medical direction, or maintenance attestations. If your defibrillator moved locations or your program lapsed, readiness includes the paperwork.
Due for a replacement or adding coverage? Our tested defibrillators — each one function-verified and serial-tracked — are in the Provider Portal.