Mechanical Compression Devices

Is that the same thing that some of us call The Thumper?

We got nothing. Just man power

My ED has several, some docs like them others not so much.

Hi,

On my ambulance we use the Zoll Autopulse. I think it is way to heavy and clunky, plus we had a A LOT of malfunctions all the time before they switched out their batteries and made new ones. Now it seems to be more reliable, but the problem is if the band is just slightly misaligned or twisted it stops working and I have seen people focus more on the device than actually getting compressions done which is dangerous.

If they could develop smaller devices that had higher reliability then I would agree with them, but until then I rarely use the auto pulse. The only thing it is good for is performing compressions during extrication when a human cannot do them, but now that is even rare since we work 'em for 20 and leave them if ROSC has not been obtained and they have low end tidal readings.

Annie

The hospital the I worked at 3 years ago. The one I work at now does not even though we see out fair share of codes. I loved the auto pulse!!

The LUCAS is great and imo better then the Zoll design. That being said it is expensive and "cost prohibitive" for many institutions and ems providers. I quoted that b/c it is bs with the cost of healthcare but that was the excuse I heard. I believe studies have been done that show no increase in save rate or better compressions using a mechanical compression device, however it has been shown to calm down the scene and allow the code to flow a little more seamless. Sorry I can't quote the actual studies

A few local EMS services have them. Our ED does not. Usually there is not a shortage of qualified individuals to do compressions.

We have one in ours but rarely use it. It was out for repair or something for a month or more so I think a lot of people forget we have it. Also the last couple we have had were too big for the LUCAS which is another issue. As another poster said we typically have more than enough people to do chest compressions.

I actually just finished up at a conference and many of the lectures were with regards to resuscitation of cardiac arrest. There are studies that report not difference between manual compression and those performed by a mechanical device.

We use it more so during extrication of patients and of course it is safer during transport than having an unsecured person trying to do CPR in a moving ambulance, especially with the frost heaves!