By Sarah Hawley
The Daily Sentinel
ROCKSPRINGS, Ohio — New equipment recently received by Meigs County Emergency Medical Services will increase the department’s ability to assist patients during emergencies.
The Life-Stat Automatic Chest Compression System — also known as Thumpers — was recently awarded to Meigs EMS through an Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation Safety Grant.
The Thumpers are an innovative device from Michigan Instruments that will give CPR to patients.
Use of the device, according to Capt. Eric Rock, of Meigs EMS, will give CPR from the site of the emergency to the hospital.
“CPR is a difficult process, which takes a lot out of the person administering it,” Rock said. He added that it will allow an EMT to assist paramedics with other duties while the “Thumper” administers CPR. The machine runs on oxygen tanks and can be moved with the patient from the house to the squad and on into the hospital.
“The success rate is night and day different than a person administering CPR,” Rock said.
According to Michigan Instruments’ website for the Life-Stat, when set up properly, the device delivers CPR to the patient in accordance with the 2010 AHA guidelines. Compressions are uninterrupted.
The machine is also lightweight and easy to operate. The Life-Stat (including the base and backboard) weighs 19.5 pounds and is stored in a case that fits easily into standard ambulance storage compartments. Setting the unit up takes seconds and requires no interruption to CPR.
The chest compressor and ventilator built into the Life-Stat take care of two of the jobs of any cardiac arrest response crew, allowing responders to focus on safety and other tasks.
Meigs EMS received three “Thumpers” through the grant. The machines cost around $11,000 each, which was mostly covered through the grant from BWC. There was a match amount required for the grant. Grants through the BWC are awarded for equipment that will help reduce Workers Compensation claims.
Supervisors with Meigs EMS were trained on the “Thumpers” on Friday at the new Emergency Operations Center.
In addition to the the “Thumpers” Meigs EMS also recently received King Vision portable video laryngoscopes.
King Vision replaces the old model of metal laryngoscopes that made it difficult to see where the tube was going when placed.
King Vision is designed for indirect laryngoscopy, difficult endotracheal intubations as well as routine intubations.
The King video laryngoscopes combine the best features of traditional laryngoscopes, fiber-optic laryngoscopes and new cutting-edge visualization technology to offer clinicians an immediate and clear view of the vocal cords. This results in a more accurate intubation while minimizing soft tissue manipulation.
Lt. Jordan Shank said that the video laryngoscopes have become standard in hospitals and is transitioning to use by emergency medical staff.
The video laryngoscope is less traumatic on the airway of the patient, allowing for the EMT or paramedic to see that the tube is properly inserted. Shank stated that it is also easier to use when the airway may have blood in it.