Manual: Critical Access Hospital
Chapter: Environment of Care EC
Topic: Medical Equipment - Defibrillator and Crash Cart

Are defibrillators and crash carts required to be plugged into emergency power receptacles?

Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.

Crash carts and defibrillators are considered high risk medical equipment.  The Joint Commission does not require battery powered crash cart and defibrillator on standby to be plugged into an emergency power receptacle to maintain charging of the batteries. This is considered best practice.  The Joint Commission does require a process to be in-place to maintain the battery charge during a prolonged normal electrical power outage for battery powered crash cart and defibrillator on standby that are plugged into a normal power receptacle.  Non-battery powered crash cart and defibrillator are required to be plugged into an emergency power receptacle during use. 
Last updated on October 22, 2021
First Published Date: April 11, 2016