NAS have announced a tender process for Pre Hospital AEDs, 12 Lead ECG Defibrillators

iceage

NAS have announced a tender process for Pre Hospital AEDs, 12 Lead ECG Defibrillators and CPR Mechanical Assist Devices for the National Ambulance Service (NAS).

The first phase of this process is intended to standardize the 12 Lead ECG Defibrillators used by our Paramedics and Advanced Paramedics across NAS. To date, NAS staff have demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to recognize STEMI patients in the field. Together, with the combined efforts of the Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS), coordinated by the National Aeromedical Coordination Centre (NACC), NAS is witnessing significant improvements in patient care. In this context, the NAS Leadership Team, agreed to target capital funding to focus on improving the quality of services to patients by ensuring NAS staff have access to the best possible equipment. The National Tender Process is being overseen by Pat Grant, Fleet, Logistics and Support Manager.

The tender process also provides for procurement of AEDs and in line with current evidence on outcomes for cardiac arrest, procurement of CPR Mechanical Assist Devices. The Medical Director, following a number of controlled trials conducted by NAS staff, is satisfied than NAS should move to introduce this important piece of life saving equipment.


I wonder which mechanical CPR devices they're going with, Zoll or LUCAS?

crackcrack30

Got a demo on the battery 'band' type device once and was impressed......easily setup & barely noticeable ect......o2 pressure powered is a disaster IMO.

New defibs needed yesterday........

Edit....should they lease the fibs? and hand them back every 2 years...

antichrist

crackcrack30 wrote: »

Got a demo on the battery 'band' type device once and was impressed......easily setup & barely noticeable ect......o2 pressure powered is a disaster IMO.

New defibs needed yesterday........

Edit....should they lease the fibs? and hand them back every 2 years...

Ya don't really see the o2 ones any more.....the lucas 2 is battery powered and a far superior cpr device to any I've seen (only 3)

crackcrack30

http://youtu.be/kKaKQ5FWpyk

Zoll - band.

http://youtu.be/GLAcEJ1Yq7Q

5500

Are zoll defibs primarily used in the hse or are there a mixture of Lifepacks too? Is there any preference between the zolls and LP15's?

iceage

Thats really the question. What is being used up until now, and what are they planning to use in the future across the board so to speak.

I've heard the LP 15's are well regarded.

medic112

I think its mainly a mix of zolls & Phillips MRX's, would certainly like to see the lifepak 15 with carbon monoxide reading + all the other toys.

we use mrx's, would rate them 6 outa 10. 12 lead not great & unreliable.

antichrist

The west and north east both use the Lifepak 12, the LP15 is good but is also quite heavy. The zoll X series (currently in use with medevac112) is as good as LP15 but much lighter

Bang Bang

There is currently a mixture of Zoll M and E series, Philips MRX and Lifepak 12 units. The LifePak 12 is now very outdated with many of the screens basically worn out of which they are quite expensive to replace.

The Zoll M series is also quite old and basic by today's standard with many not having NIBP and SAo2 monitoring let alone capnography. The Zoll E series has all of these. There are issues with the E series with regular failing of Sao2 leads and jamming of the printer. Consumables for the Zoll are quite expensive.

The Philips MRX in my opinion is okay, but the 12 lead printout is too small, a problem that you don't have with the Zoll or LifePak.

The LifePak 15 is an excellent piece of kit with all the bells and whistles and waveform capnography that can also be used in the treatment of COPD, Asthma and alls SOB patients, unlike the Zoll E series which has waveform capnography but with the attachment that is only suitable for use on ET tubes and supraglottic airways.

The Zoll E Series, the Philips MRX and LifPak 15 all have the SAo2 pleth.

Regarding mechanical CPR devices. I have used both the LUCAS and Zoll Autopulse and in my opinion the Autopulse is not suitable for carrying over a long distance or up may flights of stairs as it is heavy and cumbersome, you will not throw this piece of kit over your shoulder.
The LUCAS on the other hand is lightweight and easy to carry using the shoulder strap.

Tango Alpha 51

Bang bang, the MRX's your taking about are they not using the 100mm paper. All ours were upgraded to this

Bang Bang

Tango Alpha 51 wrote: »

Bang bang, the MRX's your taking about are they not using the 100mm paper. All ours were upgraded to this

I haven't seen the upgraded models. It sounds good and is a badly needed upgrade when running a 12 lead ECG.

truebluesac

I wonder if the use of mechnical devises is disguise to reduce the amount of crews sent to an arrest :-0

Bang Bang

truebluesac wrote: »

I wonder if the use of mechnical devises is disguise to reduce the amount of crews sent to an arrest :-0

It's shouldn't because the PHECC CPG's state both the mobilisation of an additional 3 to 4 responders AND the use of a mechanical CPR device.

Mycroft H

I know the AP RRV in naas has the Autopulse. Cool piece of kit and they're proven to work and provide better compressions.

Tango Alpha 51

Bang bang, ours were updated 2 - 3 years ago. Am surprised mate that your ones haven't been.

truebluesac

Bang Bang wrote: »

It's shouldn't because the PHECC CPG's state both the mobilisation of an additional 3 to 4 responders AND the use of a mechanical CPR device.

I know , but could it be the winds of change ?????

Are their any instances where the CPG's are not followed to their fullest ? For instance do you call for a doc mid wife everytime you have a maternity case ? Are there always AP's available ?

I would imagine not all the time , but any how its a great piece of equipment and can only make our job easier for long spins

iceage

Remember reading a paper somewhere about mixed opinions on the mech CPR, one case if memory serves gave a less than favorable outcome in one instance on one of the particular brands.

truebluesac

I have seen the LUCAS working and its a great piece of kit ,

Iv also seen another in action i wont mention the name twice and both times had a fault and had to be removed

Bang Bang

Tango Alpha 51 wrote: »

Bang bang, ours were updated 2 - 3 years ago. Am surprised mate that your ones haven't been.

We don't have the MRX in my station and to be honest it must be a year since I used one and then it didn't have the upgrade. I'll check out the surrounding stations and see if their MRX models have been upgraded.

Vorsprung

I've seen attempts to use a LUCAS in the ED environment a few times. Great when used properly but I've seen a few cases where it's just been a plain pain in the arse and delayed compressions. The biggest problem was getting the bottom piece correctly aligned under the patient, when the patient was slid over onto the trolley it often moved, and then actually getting the top piece attached took another few seconds. Upto 20 seconds passing without compressions on one occasion, a massive loss!

Despite that, it is useful when used well. Wish I had got some training on its use (though others I worked with had been trained).

truebluesac

It be great if it could attach directly onto the stretcher with no under piece .

Oh yes i did . Whats the no for lucas im patenting my idea :-)