Defibrillator Preventive Maintenance Checklist
Free defibrillator PM checklist for biomedical engineers. Energy test at 50–360J, AAMI DF80 compliance and battery load test steps.
Applicable Standards & Compliance
Pro Tips for Defibrillator PM
Run a test discharge at low energy (2J into analyser) at every shift change — confirms capacitor charging is functional
Dried conductive gel in paddle connectors is the leading cause of false pads-off alarms — always clean connector recesses with a dry cotton swab after every use
Never leave a defibrillator in SYNC mode after cardioversion — many models remain in sync mode, creating a patient safety risk if an unsynchronised shock is needed next
A power-on indicator light does not confirm battery capacity — run a full 360J charge cycle on battery power to confirm the device can deliver a shock without AC power
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Defibrillator Preventive Maintenance Checklist — Inspection Checklist
Common Failure Signs to Watch For
| Warning Sign | Likely Cause | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Charge time to 360J exceeds 15 seconds | Battery end-of-life or capacitor fault | Replace battery; if still slow, capacitor replacement required — contact OEM |
| Energy delivered >15% below selected | Capacitor charge or discharge circuit fault | Remove from service immediately; contact OEM for component-level repair |
| Sync mode R-wave marker absent or erratic | ECG amplifier or R-wave detection circuit fault | Do not use for cardioversion; contact OEM service |
| Pads-off alarm with pads correctly applied | Connector port contamination or pad cable fault | Clean connector port; test with known-good cable; replace cable if fault persists |
| Self-test fails on power-on | Internal firmware or hardware fault | Remove from service; document error code; contact OEM |
Maintenance Notes & Sign-Off
Defibrillator Maintenance Schedule
Daily
5 tasks- Visual check: device present at crash cart, pads connected, no damage
- Power-on self-test: confirm passes
- Battery level: confirm full charge indicator
- Crash cart seal: verify tamper-evident seal is intact
- Document daily check in crash cart log with nurse signature
Weekly
4 tasks- Full energy delivery test at minimum 200J with defibrillator analyser
- Verify all alarm tones are audible
- ECG monitoring verification with test signal
- Inspect cables and pads for damage
Monthly
5 tasks- Complete energy delivery test at 50J, 100J, 200J and 360J
- Battery load test — disconnect mains, run on battery for 30 minutes
- ECG signal accuracy verification with simulator
- Sync mode test
- Clean all surfaces and connectors
Quarterly
4 tasks- Full IEC 62353 electrical safety test — all leakage and earth resistance values
- Charge time measurement to maximum energy
- Comprehensive sync mode test at multiple heart rates
- Internal battery health assessment
Half-Yearly
3 tasks- Performance certification per AAMI DF80
- AED pad proactive replacement if within 6 months of expiry
- Battery replacement assessment — replace if >2 years old or load test indicates degradation
Annual
4 tasks- Full PM certification per AAMI DF80 — issue signed service report
- Proactive battery replacement if >2 years old regardless of load test
- Complete IEC 60601-2-4 electrical safety report
- NABH equipment maintenance documentation update
Frequently Asked Questions
Daily power-on self-test by nursing staff, weekly full energy delivery test by biomedical technician, monthly complete PM by biomedical engineer, and annual certification per AAMI DF80.
Test at 50J, 100J, 200J and 360J against a calibrated defibrillator analyser. Delivered energy must be within ±15% of selected energy per AAMI DF80.
Replace per OEM interval (typically 2–3 years) or immediately if charge time to maximum energy exceeds 15 seconds or runtime on battery falls below 60 minutes.
Per AAMI DF80, Class I defibrillators must charge to maximum stored energy within 15 seconds. Any device exceeding this must be removed from clinical service.
AAMI DF80 (performance), IEC 60601-2-4 (electrical safety), IEC 62353 (general testing), NABH and TJC EC.02.04.01 (accreditation requirements).