The Alpharetta City Council recently approved the purchase of 10 LIFEPAK 15 cardiac monitors/defibrillators, 55 AEDs (automated external defibrillator), and associated equipment/maintenance through Stryker Medical at an annual lease cost of $117,275 for a 5-year period.
The city’s Fire Division uses LIFEPAK cardiac monitors to diagnose, treat and monitor medical patients, particularly those experiencing cardiac events. These are emergency-room type units with leads that attach to the patient to provide vital signs such as heart rhythms, blood pressure and pulse oximetry.
The city’s current nine heart monitors were purchased in 2017 and have reached the end of their useful life. Both the hardware and software are beyond the manufacturer’s effective support, and they do not have all features required to meet current American Heart Association standards of care.
The city has roughly 82 AEDs placed throughout government buildings, parks and public safety. Most of these have also reached their useful life. Specifically, the AEDs, batteries and pads are beyond the manufacturer’s effective support, and they do not have every feature needed to meet current standards.
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