NEW EQUIPMENT — Paramedic David Hanshaw examines the new “Life Pack 15” Heart Monitor. The Bradley County EMS recently began using these advanced heart monitors in five of their ambulances.
Bradley County Emergency Medical Services recently received five of the latest state-of-the-art “Life Pack 15” Heart Monitors. These monitors have capabilities that are far more advanced than anything they have ever had. They now have the ability to actually transmit a 12 lead electrocardiogram (EKG), which is a printed readout of a patient’s heart rhythm, directly to the receiving hospital. The EKG is 95 percent diagnostic quality and shows where the infarct is taking place. The physician can then give the paramedic instructions and guidance on how to treat and where to transport the patient. Sky Ridge Medical Center now has the capability to receive EKG transmissions as well as Memorial, Erlanger, and Park Ridge in Chattanooga and hospitals in Knoxville.
One of these monitors is now on five ambulances. The Healthy Community Initiative Committee voted to award one Life Pack 15 to Bradley County EMS The other four were purchased by Bradley County EMS
“Once again the H.C.I. Committee has gracefully granted us another piece of equipment that will literally save lives, and we are truly grateful,” said Danny Lawson, director, Bradley County EMS On Dec. 23 one of the first electrocardiogram transmissions was performed by paramedic David Hanshaw. He had a 53-year-old male patient who had severe chest pain. It was determined that the patient was having a heart attack and needed advanced cardiac intervention. Hanshaw transmitted a 12 lead EKG to Memorial Hospital and the physician confirmed the patient was having a myocardial infarction and made arrangements for them to transport him straight to the heart catheterization lab.
“This was a historic moment for Bradley County EMS and another milestone in the advancement of patient care,” said Stan Clark, media relations for Bradley County EMS
From the time the 911 Center received the call to the patient arriving at Memorial Hospital for definitive care was 45 minutes. The gentleman had 100 percent blockage in one of his arteries and is now doing well. This type of intervention is paramount and this will be the first of many lives saved here in Cleveland and Bradley County.
