ZOLL Medical Corporation (Nasdaq GS: ZOLL), a manufacturer of resuscitation devices and related software solutions, announced today that Kijlstra Ambulance BV, the largest emergency service in the Friesland province of the Netherlands, has purchased 22 AutoPulse® Non-invasive Cardiac Support Pumps to equip its entire fleet of emergency vehicles with the automated chest compression device. Kijlstra is already using the AutoPulse on its two rapid responder vehicles for cardiac arrest and resuscitation.
Erwin de Vos, Kijlstra Project Coordinator, recommended the purchase to senior management after observing that the uninterrupted, high-quality chest compressions provided by the AutoPulse could not be delivered consistently by manual compressions alone. “In our experience, the force and complete thorax compression the AutoPulse administers is superior to manual CPR. The AutoPulse moves more blood more effectively than manual chest compressions, thereby providing the best possible patient care.”
Prior to selecting the AutoPulse, a market research team lead by Edward Jona, MD, Medical Manager of Kijlstra, evaluated the AutoPulse against another automated CPR compression device. The team determined that, in addition to the AutoPulse’s ability to maintain myocardial and cerebral perfusion, it offered a high level of safety for both the patient and paramedic, indicating the device’s effectiveness in keeping both patients and rescuers safe in the back of a moving ambulance.
“The feedback from the research team was extremely positive and very encouraging, which led us to the decision to implement the device on all of our ambulances,” said deVos.
“Kijlstra Ambulance places a high value on delivering the highest quality of care for victims of sudden cardiac arrest. By providing cardiac arrest patients with the AutoPulse’s consistent, uninterrupted chest compressions, we believe these patients will be treated with one of the most effective devices for circulatory support and have an improved chance of survival,” said Jonathan A. Rennert, President of ZOLL.
About the AutoPulse
The AutoPulse helps provide the consistent, uninterrupted chest compressions called for by the European Resuscitation Council Guidelines. It is an automated, portable device with an easy-to-use, load-distributing LifeBand® that squeezes the entire chest in an uninterrupted “hands-free” manner, improving blood flow to the heart and brain during sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Additionally, it offers the benefit of freeing up rescuers to focus on other life-saving interventions.
Nearly 6,000 AutoPulse devices are in use in hospitals and emergency service organizations worldwide.
About Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), an abrupt disruption of the heart’s function, which causes a lack of blood flow to vital organs, claims more than 1 million lives globally each year. The human toll from SCA is alarming. It is the leading cause of unexpected death in the world and strikes without warning. Survival is poor at less than eight percent and improvements in resuscitation practices could save as many as half of these victims.
About Kijlstra Ambulance BV
Kijlstra Ambulance BV is the largest ambulance service in Friesland (Fryslà¢n), a province in the north of the Netherlands known for its unique language and culture, its water sports and ice skating. Operating from 10 paramedic stations located throughout Friesland, Kijlstra handles in excess of 28,500 calls per year with a staff of 150 specialized employees and a fleet of 22 ambulances.
About ZOLL Medical Corporation
ZOLL Medical Corporation develops and markets medical devices and software solutions that help advance emergency care and save lives, while increasing clinical and operational efficiencies. With products for defibrillation and monitoring, circulation and CPR feedback, data management, fluid resuscitation, and therapeutic temperature management, ZOLL provides a comprehensive set of technologies that help clinicians, EMS and fire professionals, and lay rescuers treat victims needing resuscitation and critical care.
A NASDAQ Global Select company and a Forbes 100 Most Trustworthy Company in 2007, 2008, and 2009, ZOLL develops and manufactures its products in the United States, in California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. More than 400 direct sales and service representatives, 1,100 business partners, and 200 independent representatives serve our customers in over 140 countries around the globe. For more information, visit www.zoll.com.
Certain statements contained in this press release, including statements regarding the anticipated development of the Company’s business, our belief regarding revenues, and other statements contained herein regarding matters that are not historical facts, are “forward-looking” statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 17, 2010 and updated in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed subsequently to the Form 10-K, including the Form 10-Q Quarterly Report filed on August 8, 2011. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this press release, and the Company disavows any obligation to update or supplement those statements in the event of any changes in the facts, circumstances, or expectations that underlie those statements.
Copyright © 2011 ZOLL Medical Corporation. All rights reserved. AutoPulse, LifeBand, and ZOLL are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of ZOLL Medical Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.