Mobile Life Support Services, the largest Paramedic Ambulance service in Orange, Ulster, and Dutchess counties, has just announced the initial purchase of 42 new Zoll “X” Series cardiac monitor/defibrillators that will replace their existing monitors. This is a significant technological investment for the company, but they believe it is invaluable to further improving patient care.
In the fall of 2013, a select team of Mobile Life’s experienced paramedics, educators, and quality improvement staff evaluated the Zoll monitor for over 30 days in actual clinical trials. The evaluation team found the X-Series easy and reliable to use for both its basic and advanced applications. In the field trials and testing with area hospitals, they confirmed exceptional clarity in the diagnostic 12 lead EKGs that were transmitted to the hospitals.
While Mobile Life has previously transmitted EKGs to area hospitals, this new technology enables the transmission of a diagnostic-quality EKG that the Emergency Department physicians and cardiologists can not only use for rapid interpretation and treatment, but also can store in the hospital’s electronic patient record for future reference. Emily Smith, Mobile Life’s Quality Improvement Coordinator, explained the importance of the new technology: “The data review program from Zoll allows me to view critical patient data that is being recorded in real time. After a cardiac arrest, for example, I can view the CPR compression information such as rate and depth as well as effectiveness. This allows us to provide feedback to our crews and lets us provide additional training and education if needed.”
The first 14 of the new monitors have already been integrated into the system, to be followed by other integrations in August and December, in coordination with area hospitals. Zoll technical support personnel will be on hand to educate and assist the crews throughout the implementation process, and will also work with area hospitals to ensure that they can process the data they are going to be receiving.
Mobile Life is excited to integrate this new technology into the pre-hospital health care field. “The emergency medical field is moving in some new and exciting directions, and I feel that the Zoll X series will be an invaluable resource to meet those changes head on,” said Mrs. Smith.