by
Olga Deshchenko, DOTmed News Reporter | July 25, 2011
From the July 2011 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
The system includes a compression rate indicator and audio/message prompting, which provides feedback on the quality of compressions and minimizes interruptions in the CPR process. It also gathers relevant information. “A lot of data is collected on the CPR after the event to debrief the staff on how well they managed it,” Hamilton says.
Zoll pioneered the technology to enhance CPR performance back in 2002 and its Real CPR Help system now comes standard on all of the company’s defibrillators.
Another manufacturer that coaches responders through the rescue process is Defibtech. Its newest unit, the Lifeline View AED, employs video to get the job done. As the pads are placed on the victim and the ECG is read, the AED offers customizable video and audio instructions on what to do next, explains Greg Slusser, Defibtech’s vice president of sales and marketing.
“It’s not running through a DVD selection of scenes,” says Slusser. “It’s reading the ECG off the victim and then immediately determining what video instructions should be played to the lay responder on everything from where to place the pads, to how to deliver the shock and perform CPR.”
Defibrillator maker Physio-Control offers a CPR-focused product for its medical emergency response customers. This winter, Physio-Control completed the acquisition of the Swedish company Jolife AB, the maker of the Lucas Chest Compression System.
Lucas is an automated compression device that enables rescuers to deliver quality, uninterrupted compressions. The product has been popular with Physio-Control’s customers and the recent AHA guidelines updates boosted its demand, says Cam Pollock, the company’s vice president of global marketing.
The automated device not only ensures uninterrupted compressions at the rate that’s in accordance with the AHA guidelines, but also eases the rescue process for the emergency responders. “When transporting a patient who is still in arrest and requires CPR or re-arrests and requires CPR, it’s much safer for providers if they can remain seated and buckled in at the back of that ambulance, as opposed to standing up and trying to do CPR in a moving vehicle,” explains Pollock.
Users of Lucas also say having the device on scene changes the nature of the event, making it less chaotic. With an automated system, responders can maintain their calm and focus on the next step in the rescue process. “We know that humans can’t possibly keep up high quality 2-inch depth, 100 compressions per minute CPR over long periods of time but Lucas can,” Pollock says.
Amanda Jenkins
Get Funding for an AED
July 26, 2011 03:43
Without defibrillator from an AED, survival of Sudden Cardiac Arrest is virtually impossible. Every location (business, home, etc) needs an AED on site in case of such an emergency. You can apply at www.AEDGrant.com for partial funding on these machines. There are no obligations in any way at any time - Simply apply and upon approval, see what prices you can purchase these truly life-saving devices at. From there...if you can, order, if not, pass. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email in. Visit www.AEDGrant.com for more information.
to rate and post a comment