User views on standards for defibrillators.

User views on the need for defibrillator standards were surveyed as part of a multifaceted study of defibrillator use in Canadian hospitals. The majority of users favor standardization of performance, labeling, and use characteristics. They also prefer that all defibrillators incorporate cardioversion capability. Most users prefer that the defibrillator automatically switch to the emergency mode after delivery of a cardioversion shock, but almost one half of the physicians preferred the unit to remain in the synchronized mode as set. Most users are in favor of all equipment operating in the same fashion, but paramedics are not. Only a minority believes that cardioversion features are a cause of confusion, yet conversations with biomedical engineers indicate that this confusion is a common problem among the users. Virtually all users prefer that necessary standards for safety and efficacy should be mandatory for both manufacturers and hospitals.