Tasmanian Ambulance first to use new life-saving technology

Date posted: 25.08.09

MEDIA RELEASE
25th August 2009

Tasmania Ambulance first to use new
life-saving technology

The Tasmanian Ambulance Service is the first state service in Australia to trial the internationally acclaimed life-saving device the ResQPOD which uses ‘Impedance Threshold Device’ technology.

A simple, non-invasive device that fits in the palm of the hand, the ResQPOD quickly and effectively increases circulation and blood flow to the brain and when used in conjunction with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) helps supply more blood to the heart during the process.

Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among adults worldwide.

Experienced by over million people annually more than 95% of victims do not survive despite receiving CPR, as at best it can deliver only 25% of normal blood flow to the brain and 15% of normal blood flow to the heart.

The ResQPOD utilises Impedance Threshold Device (ITD) technology, which increases circulation flow to vital organs in states of low blood flow such as in a Cardiac Arrest. It works by enhancing the vacuum created during the decompression phase of chest compressions which increases the return of blood to the heart and therefore increases the amount of blood push out from the heart during the compression phase of chest compression.

The device can be used in Basic Life Support by attaching it to a simple resuscitation mask or used in Advanced Life Support by attaching it to advanced airway devices.
Already in use at more than 1,500 hospitals and emergency management systems across the U.S. the ResQPOD has also proved successful across Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong, Singapore and The Philippines and been used by industry in Australia for some months. Emergency services personnel worldwide are reporting a dramatic overall increase in their ability to ‘get back a pulse’ and more significantly increase the rates of ‘neurologically intact’ hospital discharge.

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Dr. Susannah Sherlock, Medical Director for Tasmanian Ambulance Services is excited to be trialing the device.

“I am pleased to be able to trial the use of the Impedance Threshold Device with the Tasmanian Ambulance Service,” she said. “The European Resuscitation Guidelines 2005 have indicated it may be of great benefit in cardiac arrest”.

The ResQPOD is also recognised by the American Heart Association as the only technology to be given a Class IIa recommendation (the second highest class) in its guidelines for purposes of increasing circulation and resuscitation rates ahead of any other intervention required in cardiac arrest situations, including widely used drug therapies.

Charles Makray, Director of First Response Australia, provider of emergency medical response courses and equipment, trains clients in the use of the ResQPOD which has already resulted in the saving of a life by an aviation rescue service in Victoria.

“Increasing blood flow to the heart and brain until the heart can be restarted is critical to improving survival rates with normal neurological functioning,” Mr Makray said.

“The ResQPOD doubles both blood flow to the heart and systolic blood pressure, allowing more effective circulation of drugs, increasing the likelihood of successful defibrillation and ultimately increasing the survival rate of the patient.”

A related product, soon to be released in Australia, the ResQGard(TM), utilises the same ITD technology and is used to help improve blood flow and circulation in breathing patients that are suffering from low blood pressure as a result of traumatic injuries, shock, dehydration, dialysis and orthostatic intolerance.
For further information contact:

Charles Makray, First Response Australia ph: (07) 4032-2444
Go to www.resqpod.com.au

 

Last modified: August 26, 2009 9:12 AM