Chest Compression System Frees Provider Hands

EMS providers only have two hands. If they’re being used for chest compressions then they can’t be of use anywhere else. That’s one reason Gary Ludwig, deputy fire chief for the Memphis (TN) Fire Department, finds the LUCAS Chest Compression System from Physio-Control so helpful.

“We’re always concerned about firefighters’ safety and the efficacy of CPR during a cardiac arrest,” Ludwig says. “The LUCAS device allows us to get good compressions regardless of whether our firefighter/paramedics are on a scene, carrying a patient down some stairs or transporting in the back of a moving ambulance. The safety aspect is important since we do not have to have firefighters standing in the back of a moving ambulance doing CPR. They can be secured while they ventilate or monitor the patient’s condition. Additionally, as we all know, human CPR is not really that effective in the back of a moving ambulance.”

The LUCAS Chest Compression System is designed to help improve outcomes of sudden cardiac arrest victims and improve operations for medical responders. Performing at least 100 compressions per minute with a depth of 2 inches, LUCAS can be deployed quickly with minimal interruption to patient care.

Ludwig says Memphis Fire field tested other models of mechanical CPR devices and the firefighter/paramedics preferred the LUCAS device. About six months ago the department purchased 15 LUCAS devices and another 21 are on their way, which would provide the agency with one for each of its 36 frontline ambulances in Memphis.

“What’s exciting is when firefighter/paramedics come back and tell me they got a blood pressure of 132/76 on a cardiac arrest victim while the LUCAS device was operating, or that they get pedal pulses,” Ludwig says. “I’ve been in this profession for 35 years and this is the only product where I’ve seen firefighter/paramedics receive something new so enthusiastically, clamoring for it to be on their ambulance and asking when are they going to get one.

Visit www.physio-control.com.