22Sep

The medical team and the importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

September 22, 2022 equimed 105

When someone around us suffers an accident, choking with loss of consciousness, or any other event that leaves them without breathing or a pulse, it is convenient to know how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. And in hospitals, high-quality CPR and defibrillator medical equipment are especially important.

Measurement, training, and optimal operation of defibrillation and CPR systems have a direct impact on any CPR. Thanks to these devices, knowing if CPR is being performed correctly is easier than ever, which results in survival rates that can double or even triple. Today, we want to talk about CPR, what it consists of and what is the most cutting-edge medical equipment on the market for everything related to cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

What is CPR?

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency maneuver that consists of applying rhythmic pressure on the chest of a person who has suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest so that oxygen can continue to reach their vital organs.

Therefore, CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency life-saving procedure that is performed when someone has stopped breathing or the heart has stopped beating.

When does this happen? Usually after a medical emergency such as electric shock, heart attack, or drowning. In fact, there are numerous reasons why a person can suffer a cardiorespiratory arrest (CPA), from a myocardial infarction or other cardiac, neurological or pulmonary pathologies, to drowning, hypothermia or trauma.

More details of RCP

CPR is a combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions. On the one hand, mouth-to-mouth respiration supplies oxygen to the person’s lungs, while chest compressions keep oxygenated blood circulating until breathing and heart palpitations can be restored.

CPR techniques vary slightly depending on the age or size of the person, and we find different techniques for adults and children who have reached puberty, children from 1 year of age to the onset of puberty, and infants (younger babies -1 year old).

What can happen if we do not perform CPR on time?

If blood flow stops, permanent brain damage or death can occur within minutes. Therefore, it is very important that circulation and breathing be maintained until qualified medical help arrives.

In any case, if the witnesses know how to act correctly and quickly, it is possible to save the life of the person affected, since according to the Spanish Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Council (CERCP) , if the intervention is carried out within the first 3-4 minutes after the stop heart disease, the chances of survival of the affected person can be increased by more than 50%. This ultimately means that if more people were able to perform CPR, 15-20% more lives would be saved every year in Europe alone.

The CERCP data also indicate that in Spain each year there are some 50,000 cardiac arrests –of which 30,000 would occur outside the hospital setting–, which causes around 45,000 deaths per year. And for every minute that resuscitation of the patient is delayed, their chances of surviving the event decrease by 10%.

Types of CPR

As is known, anyone can practice basic CPR, which is the one that is performed in the first minutes of a cardiorespiratory arrest. It is something that the entire population should know about. However, there is another type of CPR: high-quality CPR.

What is high quality CPR?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation has a direct effect on the outcomes of patients with sudden cardiac arrest or other complications. However, the effectiveness of CPR is often compromised by a lack of standard procedures. Thus, variations in ventilation and chest compressions can mean the difference between life and death.

Quality CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is a fundamental intervention, and the one that most influences survival from CPA (cardiorespiratory arrest). The American Heart Association (AHA) highlights high-quality CPR and early defibrillation as the main factors that increase the chances of survival from cardiac arrest.

High-quality CPR means applying compressions at the correct depth and rate, making sure not to rest on your chest, and keeping interruptions to an absolute minimum.

In this regard, the AHA has developed specific resuscitation guidelines to address the need for consistent high-quality CPR.

Basic criteria

Quality CPR in adults, children and infants is based on 5 basic criteria.

Compression depth: at least 5-6 cm and 1/3 of the anteroposterior diameter of the thorax in children and infants.
Ventilation speed: <10 / minute.
Compression speed: from 100 to 120 per minute.
Do not remain supported on the chest and avoid excessive ventilation (the goal is 8 to 10 breaths/minute).
Allow expansion

How to improve the application of CPR?

For CPR to be of high quality , it is necessary to be able to monitor it with state-of-the-art technology, which offers real-time feedback and subsequent information to continue improving the overall functioning of the system.

This becomes more palpable than ever in the devices used by health personnel or that we can find in educational centers, sports centers, etc. And that is precisely Equimed ‘s commitment : systems, both inside and outside the hospital, focused on improving the quality of CPR to double the chances of survival.

And it is that through better monitoring, training and systems to improve the quality of CPR, we can have a significant impact on survival from cardiac arrest and get closer to a more optimal result.

The most advanced CPR medical equipment

80% of in-hospital cardiac arrests present with a non-shockable rhythm . That’s why it’s vitally important that defibrillators don’t just deliver a shock.

Regardless of whether the rhythm is shockable or not, 100% of patients will require CPR, and the better the CPR, the better the results . Survival depends on compressions being fast (but not too fast) and deep (but not too deep), with complete release, minimal interruptions, and adequate ventilation.

At Equimed we have the best medical equipment for any eventuality . As is the case with the need to perform high-quality CPR. For this, we have:

CPR monitors with defibrillator

ZOLL AED^®3

The ZOLL AED 3 defibrillator leads the way with Real CPR Help technology, which provides real-time information to guide rescuers in performing high-quality CPR.

ZOLL AED 3^®BLS

The ZOLL AED 3 BLS offers high-quality support for the resuscitation of adult and pediatric patients with sudden cardiac arrest.

ZOLL R Series^®

ZOLL R Series defibrillators and monitors, meanwhile, feature easy-to-use technology that helps deliver high-quality CPR. With the R Series ALS and R Series Plus, it is guaranteed to meet the needs of all healthcare providers, whether they are trained to provide basic life support or advanced life support, as well as all patients, from children to adults.

CPR Resuscitators

ZOLL AutoPulse^®

The ZOLL AutoPulse Resuscitation System , which automates CPR when you need it most. One study showed that the ZOLL AutoPulse can be donned in as little as 14 seconds and can reduce CPR interruptions by more than 85% compared to manual CPR.

This device provides individualized compression to each person; compresses the patient’s chest cavity by 20%. And it’s the only mechanical CPR system to show significant clinical benefits in comparative human studies.

Ventilators

ZOLL Z Vent^®

The ZOLL Z Vent has been designed for full hospital use throughout the entire care process, making it the perfect portable ventilator. It provides advanced ventilation to patients during all stages of care—from the ED to the ICU to recovery rooms—with optimal portability and ease.

CPR transfer monitors with defibrillator

ZOLL X Series^®

The Zoll X Series CPR Transfer Monitor with Defibrillator is indicated for adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients.

Designed for the transfer of patients throughout the hospital, it includes a constant monitor, CPR monitor, defibrillator/cardioversion and pacemaker. If the patient suffers cardiac arrest during transport, we will also need a defibrillator and real-time information. And that’s what this compact device offers.

If you want more information about CPR equipment, or ask us for a personalized quote, do not hesitate to contact Equimed.