Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps (DTVAC) is proud to announce it has received and placed into service an additional cardiac monitor. The new device, manufactured by Physio-Control, matches the first device purchased by the Corps over five years ago. Membership approved the purchase at their July Membership Meeting after the Pennsylvania Department of Health updated their protocols to allow EMTs to obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram and transmit it to a hospital for interpretation. Previously only paramedics were able to obtain electrocardiograms. The new device will be instrumental in determining if a patient is suffering from a heart attack, allowing DTVAC EMTs to transport the patient to the correct hospital. The physician who interprets the EKG can then alert a specialized cardiac team before the patient even gets to the hospital, ensuring they are waiting for the patient upon the ambulance’s arrival at the hospital. Cardiac team members may be “on-call” and may need to be paged from home and then respond to the hospital in the middle of the night, so this technology definitely cuts down on the time it takes to administer the proper care to the patient. DTVAC is one of only two ambulance services in Pike County with a program for EMTs to obtain 12-lead electrocardiograms. This additional monitor will also help DTVAC increase its advanced life support (paramedic) services next year, as the monitor can be shared and is the most costly piece of medical equipment that paramedics use. The monitor with accessories, data plan, and maintenance plan cost over $40,000.00 and was purchased through donations to the Corps. If you would like to donate to the Corps or to volunteer your time to the Corps call (570) 828-2345 or email info@dtvac.org.
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