4 Do’s and 2 Don’ts of Mechanical CPR in Emergencies

Mechanical CPR devices are becoming more common in EMS, fire departments, and hospital emergency rooms. With the rise in popularity of this technology, it is important that both providers and even bystanders understand what these devices are and how they work. Covering the basics, following this list of do’s and don’ts of mechanical CPR in emergencies will help you understand the technology a bit better.

In the case of a cardiac arrest where a Mechanical CPR device is available…

Do start manual CPR right away.

A cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival can be significantly increased by starting manual compressions as soon as possible.

Do make sure that the victim is securely strapped to the spine board before transport.

All mechanical CPR devices can migrate on a patient, but the chances of this happening can be significantly reduced by making sure the patient stays in place on the spine board.

Do have an extra power supply at hand, whether it is an oxygen tank or a battery.

The #1 cause of failure for mechanical CPR devices is a loss of power and the easiest way to avoid it is to carry a spare. In the event of a loss of power, it is usually faster to swap out the power supply than to remove the device and continue with manual CPR.

Do monitor the patient carefully for ROSC and/or responsiveness.

None of the mechanical CPR devices currently on the market have the ability to monitor patients, or the ability to react changes in a patient’s condition.

Don’t panic.

To be effective, CPR must be aggressive, manual or mechanical. All mechanical CPR systems have been designed to give cardiac arrest victims the best chance of survival. To ensure effective CPR, only compress the chest as far as necessary to create a palpable pulse. The AHA recommends a 2” minimum compression at 100 compressions per minute.

Don’t forget that machines are only as effective as the people that use them.

Mechanical CPR will never trump the ability of an experienced first responder to react to an abnormal situation. Many cardiac arrests can occur in situations that are ideal for the application of mechanical CPR but some scenarios might make the application of these machines impossible. Emergency service providers are most effective when they act with both versatility and speed.

If you would like to add to this list please do so by submitting a comment below.

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The Confusing Process of International Regulation for Medical Products

For many medical entities, the process of international regulation and approval can be long and confusing. While this is not always an easy process, there are a few things that you should remember whenever you are attempting to get your products approved in a new country.

The International Organization of Standardization

ISO, or the International Organization of Standardization, is the primary supplier of international regulatory standards, but compliance with ISO standards does not guarantee compliance with the rules and regulations of many countries.

Compliance Timeline

Regulatory approval does not have a set timeline. Some countries can approve products within a couple weeks of the initial request while others can easily take longer than a year to complete all of the necessary actions.

The approval timeline can be affected by any number of things. Some countries (like Malaysia) base their standards off of standard ISO requirements. This helps to streamline the process, especially if you are already in compliance with the standards. Many countries (such as China and Japan) have national institutions similar to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). These require a more focused effort and completion of the process can take months.

Countries, as well as prospective buyers of your product, can require a site inspection or audit of your company prior to approval. This is more common when it comes to Asian countries.

Worldwide Standards

One saving grace of regulation as an institution is the push for consistent worldwide standards. This is an ongoing effort between the ISO, the FDA, and a number of other regulatory bodies to provide global harmonization of regulatory standards. Major standards included in ISO 13485 and 9001 provide general standards for a quality system and are recognized by many countries and companies throughout the world.

Regulatory practices have spread across a number of industries over the last 50 years. As they become more commonplace we can expect a global standard to emerge. It may happen slowly, but we can hope that someday companies will only need a handful of certifications to safely and legally distribute to the entire world.

Michigan Instruments has been the site of incremental development and constant change through the years. Today, our test lungs are recognized worldwide by thousands of users and are considered the gold standard of respiratory simulation.

Contact us to learn more about our array of respiratory products and medical applications today.

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