COLUMBUS, Ohio — West Licking Fire District invested more than $400,000 in new heart monitors.
It is the only fire department in the state, and one of few in the country, to have this technology. District leaders say it will help save more lives.
The new Lifepak 35 made by Stryker has a more durable touchscreen that is waterproof, and it takes 15 different pictures of the heart at a time instead of 12, like the old machines. The cost of the device is $55,000 to $60,000 per unit.
“We have a district that is willing to see the need for this and say 'Hey, we want the best equipment we can get for our medics to put on the trucks that way our citizens, our patients can have the best, most updated technology,'” said West Licking Fire District Lt. Andrew Jones.
It also gives paramedics a better idea about what is going on with heart rates even when CPR is being performed.
“If we can look underneath that rhythm and we can see if it is a shockable rhythm, that monitor can actually pre-charge itself, that way it can shock and you don't have to touch anything,” Jones explained.
Crews have been trained on the new heart monitors and are still getting familiar with them. The devices will be on the trucks soon.
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