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Plant City Buys 2 Advanced CPR Devices

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 26, 2007

Updated: 09/24/2007 10:55 pm

PLANT CITY - Some of the inherent uncertainties when performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation have been reduced for the Plant City Fire Rescue teams with the purchase of high-tech compression devices called AutoPulse.

The city purchased two AutoPulse cardiac-support pumps in July using a state matching grant. The city paid $15,284 for its share, with the state paying $45,856 for the equipment.

The AutoPulse looks like a shortened surfboard with a belt attachment and a small control panel. The battery-operated computerized marvel provides continuous external heart compressions to patients requiring CPR.

Glen Clegg, a captain and emergency medical officer for Plant City Fire Rescue, said the AutoPulse can increase the survival rates of people who have suffered cardiac arrest.

'According to national statistics there is only a 2.5 percent survival rate for heart attack victims that receive manual heart compressions as a lifesaving measure,' Clegg said. 'Using the AutoPulse under the same guidelines and circumstances has increased the survival rate to 10 percent.'

CPR is normally given when patients show the complete absence of a heartbeat.

According to its manufacturer, the device is designed to improve blood flow by squeezing the entire chest, not just pushing on a single spot like manual CPR and other mechanical devices. It automatically calculates the size, shape and resistance of each patient's chest. The device provides consistent compressions without interruptions.

Since July, the local Fire Rescue team has responded to two calls that resulted in the use of the new equipment.

'The first patient was nonresponsive and we were unable to re-establish a heartbeat,' said Lance Borges, a fire medic for four years with Plant City Fire Rescue.

On Sept. 10, a similar call initially had a more positive outcome.

'A 68-year-old male was found by his wife collapsed on the floor at their home,' Clegg said. 'A neighbor came over and started CPR before we arrived.'
Fire medic trainee Joel Schludt said the AutoPulse was ready to go 'within a minute.'

'This equipment allows us to move the patient to and from the ambulance without interrupting precise compressions,' Clegg said. 'It also reduces the traffic near the victim and frees up personnel to do other lifesaving functions.'

The patient recovered a heartbeat on the way to the hospital, Borges said, and the use of the device was suspended.

'We felt great relief when the patient's heart began to beat on its own,' Borges said.

Despite their efforts, Operations Chief Gene Shuler learned Sept. 11 that the patient had died.

'We did our best,' Shuler said. 'We will continue to do what we can to prevent such outcomes whenever humanly possible.'

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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