Hospitals are drastically reducing time to first shock and improving survival to discharge rates for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) patients - all while reducing capital expenses. Simply by training a new tier of responders and strategically placing equipment in the right places, you may be able to do the same2.
Changes in Response Routines Save Lives Some hospitals are changing the standard practice of Basic Life Support (BLS) calling a code, initiating CPR, and waiting for the Advance Life Support team (ALS) to arrive.
Studies show:
CPR buys time but the sooner defibrillation begins, the better the chances of survival1
Reducing time-to-first-shock by even one minute saves lives1
Training BLS staff to operate automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and manual defibrillators with AED functions – then placing these lifesaving devices within easy reach – can make the difference.
Training a new Tier A prepared staff can help broaden the support net.
When nurses and other BLS staff – previously expected to perform only CPR – are trained to operate AEDs, it can lead to dramatically improved results.
The right equipment in the right place is the key Defibrillator/monitors with AED capabilities in intensive care areas and AEDs in outpatient areas enable trained BLS staff to respond more effectively.
Nurses and staff, often the first to respond to a patient in distress, will find HeartStartFR2+ easy to use.
HeartStartFR2+ – portable, lightweight, and requires minimal training.
Automatically determines whether a shock is required with the same accuracy as a trained observer of heart rhythms
Heart rhythm display and manual override for effortless hand-off to ALS responders.
Pediatric capability* ensures compatibility with every patient
Both first responders and the ALS code team rely on HeartStart XL to provide effective, seamless continuity of care.
HeartStart XL – continuous monitoring and manual defibrillation plus AED.
In AED mode, HeartStart XL uses the same unambiguous voice prompts and text messages as HeartStart FR2+ to guide first and BLS responders while continuously monitoring and displaying the patient’s ECG
When the ALS code team arrives, it’s a quick switch to manual mode for access to advanced features, such as selectable energy and noninvasive pacing
Pediatric capability* ensures life support for every patient
* A Philips exclusive
With HeartStart, less is more The comprehensive range of HeartStart models tailors functionality to user needs and expertise. Only the essential functionality where and when you need it – that’s Philips’ design philosophy. Our AED technology is powered by a platform that’s intricate and robust in technology, yet simple in operation.
Compatibility at every level, continuity of care in every location – from home to ambulance to CCU.
1. White RD, et al. “Patient outcomes following defibrillation with
a low-energy biphasic truncated exponential waveform in
out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.” Resuscitation 2001: 49: 9-14.
2. Tiered defibrillation response at Miriam Hospital and Atlanta
VA; Philips Clinical Profile
distributed across all non-critical areas of the hospital, we’ve improved time-to-first-defibrillation from seven to ten minutes to two minutes or less.2