Now that’s cool
Published: Tue December 15, 2009
As you walk through the various 2009 trade shows featuring new EMS products and services, there are a number of questions you ask yourself. Will the product or service lead to improved patient assessment and care? Is it affordable to implement? Is there evidence or research to support the product? Are there any patient or paramedic health and safety concerns? What is required to maintain and monitor the new product? Will the paramedics utilize the equipment or leave it on the shelf in the ambulance?
You make eye contact with the sales person, and the sell is on! In Canada, there is a healthy competition amongst the ambulance vehicle manufacturers. With Crestline, Demers and Tri-Star leading the pack, the manufacturers are continuously being innovative to impress their clients. Crestline has introduced the new Driver Intention Lights that allows the paramedic to be aware of the vehicle’s motion when making decisions on patient care. And, Demers brings safety with the Obstacle Detection System, allowing the driver to be aware of obstacles when reversing the vehicle. All manufacturers are continuously improving space efficiencies in the patient compartment to maximize patient care and paramedic safety.
Do you think your service is innovative with bicycle medics? Think again. The Xtreme Green Sentinel is an electric mobility vehicle designed to replace the bicycle and foot patrol with a reliable, state-of-the-art, and efficient urban and special event patrol. With speeds approaching 45 km/hr and a range of up to 128 km per charge, the Sentinel can support paramedic services (www.xgpinc.com) in a variety of urban environments.
While the stethoscope allows you to hear what is going on inside the body, the new ACUSON P10 by SIEMENS provides the paramedic the opportunity to visualize what is going on. As the first pocket size ultrasound device, the ACUSON P10 provides the paramedic with instant images -- which are transferrable via the PDA type interface -- in confirming diagnostic assumptions in real time. In emergency medicine, the device assesses free fluid, cardiac activity, and AAA, as well as enabling critical care paramedics the ultrasound guidance for para/thora-centesis. In obstetrics, the device can provide a quick and comprehensive overview on fetal positioning, anatomy, heartbeat, fluid levels and placenta location during labour.
There are various portable suctioning units available. A new product is the Laerdal Compact Suction Unit 3 (LCSU 3) that was designed specifically for the paramedic airway bag. Its unique 300-ml canister system, LED display and variable vacuum regulator gives the power and control needed to quickly clear a blocked airway. The unit comes with an AC/DC enabled, field changeable NiMH battery pack to get the job done. As an added feature, the LCSU 3 can be easily converted to an 800 ml configuration with the purchase of the appropriate canister and bracket. The LCU 3 receives honourable mention because it signifies the growing trend in EMS to make products lighter and effective. The LCSU 3 weighs in at 1.7 kg.
Once the airway is cleared, there may be the need to intubate. However, it is a difficult airway due to poor lighting, challenging anatomy, or both. There are a number of laryngoscopes that offer white LED lighting to improve visualization of the airway. To improve the efficacy of the endotracheal intubation, the IntuBrite Laryngoscope Blade (www.intubrite.com) offers blacklight technology in order that the vocal cords will brightly phosphoresce during placement of the tube. With this improvement in larygoscopy, you can’t miss.
The system also comes with a variety of blade sizes that are disposable.
What’s next? An IV? Don’t worry about looking for that elusive vein. The AccuVein AV300 (www.accuvein.com) is a non-invasive and non-contact device that allows you the see veins on the skin’s surface. Just point and look. Regardless of skin tone or fat tissue content, the device will bounce infrared off the hemoglobin. As the veins appear, the paramedic can visualize which veins are curved and which veins are straight. All you need to do is pick the best vein to start your IV. The AccuVein AV300 comes with rechargeable batteries as weighs in at 10 ounces.
And now my favourite: The Panasonic Toughbook H1. This sealed and fanless notebook is perfect for easy sanitation via a quick alcohol swipe. No more worries about collecting germs and transferring to your co-workers. The Toughbook H1 comes with a touchscreen or digitized display thereby removing the need for physical keys. The unit has a built-in camera, integrated wireless, GPS and Bluetooth to transmit information to ambulance systems and receiving hospitals.
With long-life hot-swappable twin batteries, 80GB shock-mounted drive, and an integrated ergonomic handle, paramedics will grow to love this device that weighs in at 3.4 lbs.
Overall, there is a trend with new EMS products. The innovative products emerging in EMS are increasingly lightweight in nature, portable and accessible. The products are meeting the needs of paramedics working in uncontrolled environments. The new products are striving to improve patient outcomes in addition to protecting the health and safety of paramedics.
I can’t wait to discover what is new for 2010!
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