Agenda - 09-15-1998 - 8d - Laserfiche WebLink

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saturation in the blood through a pulse oxymeter. These machines can perform a 12- lead ECG (the same as you receive in the hospital) and provide the ability to see more than one lead simultaneously. The new machines are expandable; and future technologies that are being developed include COZ detection in the blood stream, non- invasive blood pressure monitoring and later, bi-phasic defibrillation, and invasive central monitoring. One of the outcomes of the County's multi-year strategic planning process was to improve our capability to manage the cardiac patient in anout-of-hospital setting. These new type machines will allow the paramedics to be trained in additional skills and will allow for the expansion of the cardiac treatment protocols. By having the ability to do 12-lead ECGs, and the other described options, EMS will establish a more accurate base line of cardiac activities for both out-of-hospital treatment and provide valuable data to medical professionals providing in-hospital treatment to patients. Cardiac emergencies are just one aspect of EMS where paramedics can potentially have a clear positive impact on the final outcome of many patients. This new technology will enhance our cardiac treatment capabilities, in keeping with the goals of the strategic plan. The new machines also provide documentation of assessments including oxygen saturations used in the referral or denial of transport to the hospital by ambulance. From a Risk Management standpoint, the need to objectively document vital signs and pulse oxymeter will provide a greater validation for patient treatment and release protocol. Some patients are still being transported by ambulance because paramedics cannot relay vital determinants to the physicians -for example, because our current equipment does not have the ability to measure oxygen saturation within the patient's bloodstream. Some of these transports would likely not be necessary if better on- scene vital measurements could be relayed to emergency room doctors who in some cases will then be able to determine that in-hospital treatment is not necessary.