Mechanical CPR?

Fayette County Commissioners approved the purchase of another mechanical CPR device at a meeting last Thursday. Fayette County EMS already has one such device, a Stryker Lucas 3.

Fayette County EMS Director Josh Vandever said the machine provides nearly limitless chest compressions for patients needing CPR.

“You can do about 100 chest compressions before you get really tired and someone has to take over,” Vandever said. For a two or three-person ambulance crew trying to transport a heart attack patient to the hospital, quality chest compressions can make the difference between life and death. Vandever said the device can stay attached to the patient and provide chest compressions all the way into the operating room. That frees up hands so that medics can help the patient breath or administer drugs.

Vandever said he has seen the device save two people who suffered heart attacks since he became EMS director earlier this year. “They’re not out of the hospital yet, but they made it to the hospital,” he said. Vandever said Fayette County EMS keeps the current device in the shift supervisor’s vehicle. When the new device comes in, he said the department will keep one stationed in the north part of the county and the other in the southern part.