A global shortage of components has left defibrillators out of action potentially putting lives at risk. Over the past year, batteries, microchips and pads to attach to a patient's chest have been difficult to replace.
Currently there are 100,000 defibrillators in Britain, with the device delivering a high-energy shock to the heart of someone who has had a cardiac arrest. The product roughly doubles the chances of survival, but a shortage have parts has put a strain of replacement components.
Adam Fletcher, of the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said: “Defibrillators can be the difference between life and death in a cardiac arrest, but only if they’re kept in proper working order. The ongoing supply-chain issues for replacement defibrillator pads and batteries is extremely worrying and could even put people’s lives at risk.”
