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Objectives <p>To analyse the Slovak National AED Registry for critical gaps in device accessibility, availability, and specifications based on 2025 ERC Guidelines.</p> Background <p>Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) is a time-critical challenge where survival depends on Public Access Defibrillation (PAD). Slovakia has a national AED registry, but its compliance with international recommendations is unknown.</p> Methods <p>A descriptive, cross-sectional analysis of all registered AEDs (N = 4484) as of August 2025 was conducted. We analysed device type, paediatric capability, 24/7 availability, location, and physical barriers (mechanical locks).</p> Results <p>The registry included 4484 AEDs. While 71.1% (N = 3187) were available 24/7, only 20.2% (N = 904) had a paediatric mode. Merely 4.9% (N = 221) had both paediatric capability and 24/7 availability. Furthermore, 7.0% (N = 314) were secured with a mechanical lock. “Barrier-free access” data (90.3%) was misleading, not referring to device placement.</p> Conclusion <p>The Slovak AED network has critical deficiencies contradicting ERC 2025 recommendations. The extremely low 24/7 availability of paediatric-capable AEDs (4.9%) and the presence of mechanical locks (7.0%) limit PAD effectiveness. Urgent technical regulations are necessary.</p>

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Public Defibrillator Accessibility in Slovakia: A Descriptive Study

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月7日

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  • Adrián Fabiny

摘要

Objectives

To analyse the Slovak National AED Registry for critical gaps in device accessibility, availability, and specifications based on 2025 ERC Guidelines.

Background

Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) is a time-critical challenge where survival depends on Public Access Defibrillation (PAD). Slovakia has a national AED registry, but its compliance with international recommendations is unknown.

Methods

A descriptive, cross-sectional analysis of all registered AEDs (N = 4484) as of August 2025 was conducted. We analysed device type, paediatric capability, 24/7 availability, location, and physical barriers (mechanical locks).

Results

The registry included 4484 AEDs. While 71.1% (N = 3187) were available 24/7, only 20.2% (N = 904) had a paediatric mode. Merely 4.9% (N = 221) had both paediatric capability and 24/7 availability. Furthermore, 7.0% (N = 314) were secured with a mechanical lock. “Barrier-free access” data (90.3%) was misleading, not referring to device placement.

Conclusion

The Slovak AED network has critical deficiencies contradicting ERC 2025 recommendations. The extremely low 24/7 availability of paediatric-capable AEDs (4.9%) and the presence of mechanical locks (7.0%) limit PAD effectiveness. Urgent technical regulations are necessary.