RACGP considers mandatory defibrillators for accredited practices

It would mean better survival rates for patients, a study suggests

The RACGP is considering whether onsite defibrillators should be a mandatory requirement under its practice standards after research showed many patients with cardiac arrests in GP clinics were waiting for defibrillation by paramedics.

Published on Monday, the review of 126 patients with initial shockable rhythms at GP practices found 47 received defibrillation by practice staff using an onsite automated external defibrillator (AED).