Hands On October 2011

EKG Concepts Pocket R-CAT (rapid cardiac arrhythmia tool)

Dysrhythmias to Go Learning to read ECGs takes time and practice. You need to learn the basics, then read as many rhythm strips as you can get your hands on. During paramedic school, when you’re completing your cardiac care unit clinical rotation, you need a handy reference to compare all the odd patient ECGs they give you with established criteria. The Pocket R-CAT (rapid cardiac arrhythmia tool) from EKG Concepts is a 12-panel, double-sided, laminated tool that folds out to reveal 41 six-second ECG strips, with the identifying criteria listed below them. So when you can’t tell the PVC from the PJC, you simply need to pull out the Pocket R-CAT and compare the known with the unknown. VITALS
Size: 3.25" x 6.75"
Thickness: 0.38”
EKGs: 41
Price: $19.95
www.ekgconcepts.com
877/722-8354

Core Compression Abdominal Binder

When patients have post-operative complications, it usually falls to EMS to get them back to the hospital to see the surgeon. These patients can have a great deal of pain and discomfort during these post-op moves, because the abdominal muscles are needed to support the core during any movement. The Abdominal Binder from Core Compression provides circumferential support to the abdomen, and a replaceable absorbent pad that attaches to the wide band will contain any wound drainage. Although this product was originally designed for the hospital and ambulatory care market, it can also be useful in the prehospital arena as a wide trauma pad and band that would work well over a shotgun blast injury, to apply circumferential pressure around a pelvic fracture and as an assist device when you have to physically restrain a patient. VITALS
Sizes: 9" and 12"
Dimensions: 11" X 17"
Weight: 1.6 lbs.
Color: Purple
Price: $48 (9"); $52 (12")
www.corecompression.com
877/514-CORE

Magnatag PlanView Slide Panel Visual Control Center

Many EMS agencies have a white board mounted in a central location to keep staff advised of important items. Who’s working, vehicle status, hospitals on divert, equipment left at a hospital and road closures are common items tracked on EMS status boards. The PlanView Slide Panel Visual Control Center from Magnatag allows you to maximize wall space by stacking from three to 20 white boards on sliding tracks. This flexibility lets you track multiple items on a variety of boards and also enables you to hide confidential postings from the public as they tour your station. VITALS
Panel Size: 3' x 2'–4' x 6'
Panels: 3–20
Price: $9,263 for six 4' x 6'
www.magnatag.com
800/624-4154

Nocora M-01 EMT Jump Kit

Don’t you hate it when all of the supplies in your well-stocked, first-in bag end up in a jumble at the bottom of the bag? The M-01 EMT Jump Kit from Nocora can help you make that yesterday’s problem. This jump kit features a main compartment with three clear-top, detachable interior compartments and 14 zip-close top plastic bags, which attach to the bag with Velcro for storage and easy retrieval of smaller items. It also has two large slip pockets that can hold trauma dressings or other large items. A series of elastic loops secure oral airways, penlights and tweezers. The waist strap includes a glove dispenser, so your BSI is handy at all times. VITALS
Colors: Electric green, emergency red
Dimensions: 12 1/2" x 9 1/2" x 5"
Weight (empty): 2 lbs.
Price: $105
www.nocora.com
888/237-2206
Colors: Electric green, emergency red
Dimensions: 12 1/2" x 9 1/2" x 5"
Weight (empty): 2 lbs.
Price: $105
www.nocora.com
888/237-2206

Physio-Control Inc. LIFEPAK 15

The science of resuscitation is making great strides in saving lives. Some departments that have fully implemented the 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines have increased their cardiac arrest survival to hospital discharge rates by 300%. Physio-Control Inc. has updated the LIFEPAK 15 monitor/defibrillator to include an improved AC/DC power supply, which disconnects quickly and easily. Post-resuscitation care capabilities of the LIFEPAK 14 monitor/defibrillator have also improved with addition of continuous temperature monitoring for therapeutic hypothermia levels available as an option. Its continuous waveform capture storage lets you view the waveform at different points during the resuscitation, and redesigned cables are longer for more comfortable patient placement. The cables are now also easier to insert and remove. VITALS
Weight: 20.1 lbs.
Dimensions: 12.5" x 15.8" x 9.1"
Power: AC/DC
Price: $700–7,000 (depending on upgrades)
www.physio-control.com
800/442-1142

Solio Bolt

Murphy’s Law for cell phones: The more important the call, the lower the battery level. Many EMS agencies rely on cellular communication to maintain contact with hospitals, social service agencies or on-duty crews. With the constant plugging and unplugging of chargers, just keeping the phones energized can be a hassle for a busy crew. The Solio Bolt is a solar-powered charging device for any electronic devices that use a USB charging cable. The charger’s Lithium-Polymer battery can store a charge for up to a year and has enough power to replenish most smartphones twice before needing a refill. You can then recharge the Bolt from a wall plug, USB port or by simply setting the device at an angle and placing the solar cells out in the sun. VITALS
Weight: 4.8 oz.
Dimensions: 4.7" x 1.3" x 2.5"
Color: Pearl white
Price: $70
www.solio.com
800/653-4099

Ziamatic Corp. QUIC-RELEASE Strapless Cylinder Bracket, (Model QR-D-2)

From early in your EMS career, you were taught not to leave an unattended oxygen cylinder standing upright. I remember my EMT instructors saying that if a tank fell over and broke off at the stem level, it would fly around like an unguided missile. So every ambulance has some type of bracket that will secure cylinders. But many of these brackets have straps that work loose, or a bracket that needs to be tightened to keep it all in place and stop annoying rattles caused by road vibrations. The QUIC-RELEASE Strapless Cylinder Bracket, (Model QR-D-2) from Ziamatic Corp. eliminates the straps and thumb screws. It uses a latch to secure the neck of the cylinder while a heavy-duty back spring holds it snugly against the latch and prevents rattling. VITALS
Material: Stainless steel
Weight: 5.8 lbs.
Dimensions: 17.1" x 6" x 6"
Price: $276.60
www.ziamatic.com
800/711-3473

Book Review

Verbal First Aid
By Judith Simon Prager & Judith Acosta
It’s probably quite easy to recall an injury or sickness that occurred during your childhood, but did you know that the first words you heard after the event played an invaluable role in how well you would manage the situation, heal and subsequently deal with similar events in the future? Derived from current medical research, Verbal First Aid demonstrates how the words a caregiver chooses to say when a child is sick or in pain will cause chemical responses to travel through the child’s body and either help or hinder the healing process, as well as set the course for their physical and emotional recovery. Techniques provided through descriptive scenarios teach the reader how to empower children to actively participate in their own healing, conquer their fears and turn seemingly tragic events into an accepted part of life. Easy to read and compassionately presented, Verbal First Aid announces revolutionary non-pharmaceutical healing that can be used anywhere at any time. This book is perfect for healthcare providers, teachers and parents. It provides the key that can unlock a child’s inner strength in any situation, thus promoting a healthy and happy life.
—By Natalie Harris BHSc, AEMCA