Maybe a stupid question...

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Specializes in NICU,ICU,ER,MS,CHG.SUP,PSYCH,GERI.

Stupid question...why does the defibrillator have leads on it? At one time I was told you have to have the leads hooked up to cardiovert or pace, but now I am told all you need are the STAT pads for everything. Is this true, and if so why are the leads there? We haven't had to cardiovert or pace on our unit since we opened-2005-and no one can answer this question. Thanks for any input.:wink2:

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Stupid question...why does the defibrillator have leads on it? At one time I was told you have to have the leads hooked up to cardiovert or pace, but now I am told all you need are the STAT pads for everything. Is this true, and if so why are the leads there? We haven't had to cardiovert or pace on our unit since we opened-2005-and no one can answer this question. Thanks for any input.:wink2:

Depends upon your defibrillator but to pace on some machines, they have to be hooked up to the leads...the pads can pace but they won't give you a lead readout as well. So I was inserviced.

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Specializes in ICU, PACU, Cath Lab.

We have leads on ours...so lets say I go down to the floor for a patient, like a rapid response. I can hook them up by the leads and monitor the rythym on the defib, We put the leads and the pads on if we are going to sync and shock. Now if we are on my floor..ICU we slap on the pads and hook the sync cable to the monitors and there we go...not sure if that is what you have them for?

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

our defib unit uses pads only. When the pads are placed properly on the patients chest (stuck to the chest in the proper position) you can get a basic lead II tracing. You then do not have a specific 4 or 5 lead set up. Some machines are made to be used in either way. Use of the pads is quicker.

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Specializes in ICU.

I was taught that the leads were there in case the MD or code leader wanted to look at another lead.

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Specializes in Med surg, Critical Care, LTC.

In most cases the leads are there to hook the portable defib device to your overhead monitors - so they can correlate and be reading the same thing and the same time.

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