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How do I Calibrate a Lifepak 10?

The LifePak 10 is a heart monitor/defibrillator/pacemaker made by Physio-Control. A calibration is performed as a test when the unit is inspected at the beginning of each work shift. A calibration is also done at the beginning of each recording made. On the LP 10 this must be done manually. A calibration mark gives the clinician a reference to gauge the EKG tracing for abnormalities. The calibration mark is 1cm (1mV) in height, or two large boxes on the tracing paper. It appears as an upright rectangle just before the heart rhythm tracing.

Things You'll Need

  • LifePak 10
  • Heart rhythm simulator
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Instructions

  1. Set-Up

    • 1

      Connect the LP 10 to the simulator.

    • 2

      Using the LP 10 EKG cables, snap the white, black and red cables onto their corresponding terminals on the simulator.

    • 3

      Make sure the simulator is in the Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR) mode.

    Familiarization

    • 4

      Find the control panel on the top of the LP 10, to the left of the paddles. Locate the POWER switch and RECORD button.

    • 5

      Find the control panel on the front, left face of the unit, under the monitor and display screens. Locate the "EKG SIZE" and "CAL" buttons.

    • 6

      Find the simulator power button on the top face of the unit.

    Operation

    • 7

      Turn the LP 10 on by rotating the switch to the "I" position. The EKG and display screens will light up.

    • 8

      Turn on the rhythm simulator. It automatically shows a normal heart rhythm on the LP 10 screen.

    • 9

      Depress the record button and immediately depress and release the "CAL" button. Allow for a short, three-complex (at least) strip recording.

    • 10

      Depress the record button again to stop recording. Inspect the recording by looking at the calibration mark and looking at the entire EKG recording. The calibration mark should be 10mm, or two large boxes. The EKG recording should look normal--not too large, not too small.

    • 11

      Adjust the EKG size if needed by the EKG SIZE button to the left of the "CAL" button.

      If the EKG size is okay and the calibration mark is at 10mm in height, then the unit is calibrated and ready for use.

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