People across Kildare urged to check defibrillators as potentially fatal fault flagged by HPRA

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has issued a serious safety notice regarding the Powerheart G5 AED due to the device potentially not delivering therapy when needed. 

In the notice published on Monday, 9 June, the HPRA said that it was discovered after performing scheduled self-tests that the Powerheart G5 AED displayed Error Code (EC) 501.

If this error code appears, the HPRA explained the device would "be unable to deliver lifesaving therapy while in this state."

They added: "the issue can be detected during routine inspection."

The HPRA has emphasised that it is crucial to raise awareness to this issue, especially given the importance of AEDs in local communities when it comes to emergency situations.

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The AED manufacturer, Zoll Medical Corporation, has issued a field safety notice in relation to the issue through its local distributor Fleming Medical. However, the HPRA said that the rate of acknowledgement from users in Ireland to date has been low.

The HPRA has advised all organisations and communities who may have a Powerheart G5 AED to check their device and follow the appropriate procedures. 

They said: "If an error code EC 501 is detected, appropriate action should be taken to resolve the issue and replace the device before it is needed in an emergency situation."

People are urged to report any safety issues associated with these devices to the manufacturer and the HPRA.