Thursday March 28th, 2024 9:02AM

Hall Co. Fire Services adds new CPR equipment

GAINESVILLE - Four new L.U.C.A.S. (Lund University Cardiac Assist System) devices are being put to work by the Hall County Fire Department.
 
"These devices perform consistent and textbook chest compressions in cases of cardiac arrest. Effective chest compressions are vital to provide blood flow to the brain and cardiac muscle during CPR," said Cpt. Zach Bracket, Hall County Fire Services, in a news release.
 
Cpt. Kyle Powers, EMS Coordinator, said in a phone interview that the equipment, which costs about $15,000 per unit, is strapped onto patients (see photo).
 
"During transport (to the hospital), our crews can remain seated a lot more. They can remain belted, and this takes care of chest compressions while en route if they're in the back of an ambulance," said Powers.
 
The devices are battery operated, which lets first responders and other caregivers divert their attention to other life-saving measures.
 
The four news ones bring the grand total of L.U.C.A.S. units in the county to eight. The Gainesville Fire Department has three, which makes the grand total in the county 11.
 
The units are spread out across the county so they can be utilized more effectively.
 
"A lot of factors go into play where they are, but we have placed these ... looking at logistics of the lake, proximity, things like that," said Powers.
 
He said the L.U.C.A.S. devices are fairly often.
 
"In Hall County this year, I would estimate we've had about 150 cardiac patients up to this point," said Powers. "These are devices that will be used on each and every one of those calls."
 
The new ones were officially put into service on Friday.
  • Associated Categories: Homepage, Local/State News, AP Business
  • Associated Tags: Hall County Fire Services, CPR, cardiac patients, LUCAS device, heart monitor
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