Metro has ordered a review of all of its automated external defibrillators after in incident at the Pentagon station earlier this week where one of the devices did not work as intended.
On Monday, a 51-year-old man died at Virginia Hospital Center after suffering an apparent heart attack aboard a Yellow Line train, according to Metro. The train operator radioed for medical assistance after reports of an unconscious passenger on the train. A Metro spokesman said that a passenger tried to use the AED, but the device did not have sufficient battery charge.
Metro’s Operations Control Center promptly notified Arlington County Fire & Rescue, as well as Metro Transit Police and rail supervision. First responders arrived on the scene about five minutes later and provided advanced life support, according to Metro.
The transit agency said its review will include an immediate inspection of all 46 defibrillators located in stations. That inspection is expected to be completed within 24 hours.
Metro said that while station managers have been trained to inspect defibrillators, procedures for conducting inspections and maintenance are being strengthened to include required signed daily inspection reports.
By April 30, Metro said it will complete the work it has under way to place AEDs at all station kiosks, including replacing older existing models with state-of-the-art devices.
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