November 12, 2006 Hospital clinicians know that the worst time to find out a defibrillator isn't working is during a cardiac arrest event. Which is why resuscitation device manufacturer ZOLL will be introducing its new R Series defibrillator for hospitals at the 2006 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association in Chicago today. The R Series extends testing beyond shock delivery and checks more than 40 measures of readiness, including the presence of the correct cables and electrodes, the type of electrode, and other important electronics, such as verifying the condition and expiration date of the electrode set. A simple green checkmark indicates that the R Series is fully ready for use. There's lots more to commend the R Series, but when a device is as mission-critical as a defibrillator, we like the idea that it's ready-to-go!
Mr. Packer continued, “We define 'Code-Ready' as a device that is simple and always ready to use. The R Series offers a OneStep system that simplifies and speeds up deployment of pacing and defibrillation therapy. It also offers smart tools that can help clinicians improve CPR performance. Finally, the R Series offers comprehensive, automated readiness checks designed to maximize the readiness of the R Series to help clinicians when they need it most.”
The R Series offers several firsts in the area of simplifying operation. It includes a OneStep System that provides a single cable for pacing, monitoring, and defibrillation. It also includes one electrode set through which clinicians can monitor, pace, defibrillate, and get real-time feedback on chest compressions, also known as Real CPR Help.
More than half of in-hospital codes involve non-shockable rhythms. In such cases, the only treatment for such rhythms is high-quality CPR, with minimal interruptions. The R Series offers See-Thru CPR functionality that helps clinicians minimize interruptions in CPR performance. While viewing the ECG on a monitor/defibrillator, artifact (i.e., “noise”) from chest compressions make it difficult to discern the presence of an organized heart rhythm unless compressions are halted. See-Thru CPR filters out this artifact so clinicians can view an underlying rhythm without stopping chest compressions.
In addition to See-Thru CPR, the R Series offers a visual aid known as the CPR Index that allows clinicians to see how well they are performing the rate and depth of chest compressions in real time. This Index, along with audible prompts (i.e., “Push Harder” and “Good Compressions”), helps clinicians improve CPR performance by integrating rate and depth into a single indicator on an easy-to-read display. With this feedback, clinicians know how well they are performing compressions and can quickly adjust their compressions to improve blood flow.
Additionally, all CPR performance data and the entire resuscitation record, including the ECG, can be downloaded into ZOLL CodeNet and reviewed for quality assurance and training purposes. CodeNet is the first system to help document, review, and manage a complete set of data for in-hospital resuscitation events, including both code event data and defibrillator data, on one synchronized timeline.
The R Series extends testing beyond shock delivery and checks more than 40 measures of readiness, including the presence of the correct cables and electrodes, the type of electrode, and other important electronics. The R Series can also verify the condition and expiration date of the electrode set. All of this testing occurs without disconnecting electrodes or paddles, or requiring additional equipment to test shock delivery. The system provides a printed or electronic log to alert hospital personnel of any concerns in advance of a code. A simple green checkmark indicates that the R Series is fully ready for use.