Pediatric Keys & Pads with Carrie Kastner

 

Pediatric Pads vs Pediatric Keys for AEDs: Which is better?

What’s the benefits of choosing an AED with a Pediatric Key instead of using pediatric pads? Carrie Kastner, our Education Sales Manager at Master Medical Equipment, joins us to speak on the key differences and the need to be ready for a pediatric cardiac emergency.

Delivering a life-saving shock to infants and small children

Normal pads are designed for adults, and deliver a shock which would harm infants rather than save them. Many Automated External Defibrillators require you to keep a separate set of pads just for infants and small children. Keeping up with a separate pair of pads, which have a shelf life, can be expensive and overlooked. By contrast, the Philips FRx AED uses a pediatric key, a plastic multi-use device to lower the shocking energy to 50 joules, safe for a pediatric patient. This lets you maintain only one set of pads, making rescuers simpler and keeping long-term costs down. By flipping the tab and inserting it into the AED unit, the pediatric function is now available.

This makes AED maintenance easier for you because adult and pediatric pads have different expiration dates. Adult pads tend to last for 4 to 5 years, depending on the manufacturer. Pediatric pads are only good for up to two years, meaning you have two different shelf life cycles to track. You have an extra expense. For every set of adult pads, you’re purchasing two and a half sets of pediatric pads. The Pedi Key is a great alternative, with no expiration date and allowing multiple uses. Plus, you don’t have to worry about storage temperature. It lives in the case and is there in case you need it. In a pediatric emergency, the key just pops in the top, and the machine does all the work for you. You’re still using the same pads. You’ll place the pads according to a pediatric rescue, one on the chest and one on the back, listen for directions, and the machine will take care of the energy level.

In the Philips family of AEDs, the FR3 also uses a Pedi Key. That key looks slightly different, it will be pink, which is the pediatric color but has the same function

The Philips HeartStart FRx AED is known for its durability and robust design. The FRx has an IP rating of 55, meaning it’s suitable for vehicles or to stored in not-so-climate-controlled places. We never recommend putting it anywhere too hot or cold, but the IP rating of 55 makes them durable and very hearty against most damp or dusty environments.

If you have any questions or need any information, please call us at Master Medical Equipment at 866-468-9558. We have plenty of people answering the phone ready to help you out.