May 2005 Hot Shots

12-Lead Instruction Software

Interpreting 12-lead ECGs is challenging, but among the most important things you do. When a patient’s having a cardiac issue, there’s no time to lose, and no time for mistakes. Helping providers learn to interpret 12-leads is the goal of Apex Innovations’ Making Waves software. Making Waves captures competencies through secure log-in, log-out and return capability, for self-study or formal instruction. Content includes AMI anatomy, ECG basics, rhythm review, MI basics, advanced MI, abnormal rhythms, MI review and MI testing. Features include a topic-driven menu bar, detailed intuitive waveform movement, patented MI Rule interactive application, secure access with encrypted user data and printable competency grades. For more information, call 866/294-4599, or visit www.mirule.com.

Paramedic-Designed IV Set

Paramedics know what paramedics need. That’s the theory behind Biomedix’s SELEC-3®+NIS+LAS IV administration set, which was invented by a paramedic with an eye on saving time and valuable storage space. The SELEC-3® also minimizes the risk of contamination by offering three different drop settings in the same system. Users can switch between 10, 15 and 60 drop/cc volume settings without breaking the line. The SELEC-3® includes two “Y” port connections, plus a built-in extension set. Multiple variations are available, including increasingly popular luer-locking Y sites. It’s a cost-effective way to accommodate multiple hospital protocols without having to stock several sizes and styles of IV sets. The company recently added a virtual “build your own IV set” function to its website. For more information, call 800/627-2765, or visit www.biomedix-inc.com.

New Radio Series

Vertex Standard has introduced its VX-920/970 series portable public-safety radios. With frequency ranges of 134–174 MHz VHF and 450–512 MHz UHF, VX-920/970 units have such standard built-in features as an emergency mode with remote microphone listening; over-the-air kill/stun/revive; two-tone decode; 700 mW audio output; direct channel access; lone-worker buttons; audio pitch tuning and more. Options include MDC1200 encode/decode, an interoperability board, digital voice storage and voice encryption. Units are available with or without a 12-digit alphanumeric display; in four or 16 keys; and with 48 or 512 channels. All are approved to Mil. Std. 810 C–F and have water rating specs of IP54, IP55 and IP57. For more information, call 714/827-7600, or visit www.vertexstandard.com.

Pediatric Med Guide

The rules are different for kids, and that can be a major source of consternation for EMS?providers. How do you ensure they get medication dosages appropriate for their age and size? One answer is Armstrong Medical’s Pediatric Resuscitation Medication Guide, a companion to the Broselow Pediatric Emergency Tape. The Guide provides preparation and administration information for resuscitation drugs and clinical organization flow charts for point-of-care drug administration. The book is divided into color sections that can be accessed by a known weight or, if a weight is not available, by a single Broselow tape measurement. Each section has preparation and administration information by color zone, which provides drug volume amounts for each drug using preferred concentrations. Call for a free catalog. For more information, call 800/323-4220, or visit www.armstrongmedical.com.

CPR, AED, First Aid Training

Everyone needs training. Instructors with Emergency First Response can tap into the billion-dollar CPR, AED and first aid training industry by aligning themselves with one of the fastest-growing international CPR and first aid training organizations around today. Focused on training the lay rescuer, the Emergency First Response approach builds confidence and increases lay rescuers’ willingness to respond when faced with medical emergencies. Emergency First Response’s courses encompass adult, child and infant CPR and first aid skills, and incorporate AED training and emergency oxygen use. Emergency First Response also offers comprehensive workplace first aid courses specifically designed to meet regional compliance standards. All courses use state-of-the-art training materials and are flexible in design to accommodate varied scheduling and training needs. For more information, call 800/337-1864, or visit www.emergencyfirstresponse.com.

Automatic Resuscitator

Your patient’s breathing is one of the most important things you can tend to on a call, but it can’t be your sole focus. Technology that lets you assist respiration without neglecting other urgent needs can be a real boon to EMS. Lifesaving Systems, Inc. markets the Oxylator Technology, a positive-pressure resuscitation and inhalation system that uses new patient-responsive technology to aid in revival and transport. Designed to replace the bag-valve mask, the Oxylator is an automatic resuscitator that offers hands-free ventilation in sync with chest compressions during CPR. It’s also suited for transport and confined-space and toxic-environment rescues. For more information, call 866/OXYLATE, or visit www.lifesavingsystemsinc.com.