Defibrillators are life support equipment, says The Joint Commission
If this ever-changing world in which we live in has got you down, you’ll be pleased to note that once again, a succulent pearl of wisdom has issued forth from The Joint Commission: What is the meaning of life (support equipment).
For some reason it appears that there has been much consternation and controversy over whether defibrillators are considered life support equipment, and so this FAQ will take you to the very heart of darkness. The Joint Commission does indeed consider defibrillators to be life support.
As an editorial aside, if I didn’t know better, I would say that the FAQ, particularly in its lengthy flowering of prose, sounds like something I would have written. Caveat lector (and I don’t mean Hannibal).
About the Author: Steve MacArthur is a consultant for The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro. He brings 30 years of healthcare management and consulting experience to his work with hospitals, physician offices, and ambulatory care facilities across the country. He is the author of HCPro's Hospital Safety Director's Handbook and is contributing editor for Briefings on Hospital Safety. Contact Steve at 
