Failure to Perform Daily AED Checks
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to perform daily checks on the automated external defibrillator (AED) for 157 out of 421 days, as required by the manufacturer's periodic maintenance instructions. The maintenance insert specified that the AED should be checked to ensure the indicator was green, the battery was charged, prompts and display were functioning, pads were ready, all buttons worked, and the case was intact. Interviews with nursing staff revealed inconsistent understanding of responsibility for performing these checks, with some nurses stating it was not their duty. The Director of Nursing confirmed that daily checks were expected but acknowledged there was no specific facility policy, only reliance on the manufacturer's instructions. The Administrator also stated an expectation for daily checks to ensure equipment was functioning and stocked.