Unique Cpr Techniques Save A Life

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UNIQUE CPR TECHNIQUES SAVE A LIFE - Intensive training and new tools prove successful
City of Gresham - 03/25/08GRESHAM, Ore. – On March 19 at approximately 8:12 a.m. firefighters from Gresham Fire Stations 73 and 71 responded to an incident that enabled them to use skills honed during multiple training sessions the previous few months on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and advanced life-support procedures.

"The firefighters along with the AMR crew did a superb job of resuscitating this patient," said EMS Coordinator John Stouffer. "I believe the intensive training in cardiac arrest, along with the new tools we have pioneered, as well as the quality and capabilities of our firefighters, are beginning to pay off in terms of patient survival."

Gresham firefighters responded to worksite call at 76 NW Bryn Mawr Way in Gresham where a man had been electrocuted by a 7,200 volt power line. When firefighters arrived Rene Perez Ortiz was receiving CPR from his colleagues but was not breathing and did not have a heartbeat.

The crews immediately put their training and tools into action. In addition to using CPR techniques that focus on team effort, sequencing and quality CPR the firefighters used new tools to treat Mr. Ortiz. One tool was the EZ-IO. Using a special electric driver (similar to a cordless drill), a special needle is placed in bone of either lower legs, which then provides a fast and secure method of delivering drugs and fluids to the vascular system. This device enables access in a fraction of the time it would take to administer a traditional IV. Gresham Fire pioneered this device in Oregon, which is now used by most EMS agencies and hospital emergency departments in the Metro area.

The responders also deployed another new airway device that allowed them to quickly establish a definitive airway without interrupting CPR—which critical to increasing the chance of survival in such cases.

The Gresham firefighters subsequently delivered a shock to the patient's heart, which resulted in converting it to a normal rhythm. Shortly after, the patient had a pulse, blood pressure and was beginning to breathe on his own.

Mr. Ortiz was then transported to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Legacy Emanuel Hospital to recover. At last report, the patient had been transferred from the ICU to a regular room to continue his recovery.