Medical monitors may seem like a relatively dull subject to cover in a newsletter that aims to keep readers informed and aware about the often exciting goings-on in a helicopter air ambulance program, like LifeFlight Eagle.  But every piece of equipment on board our Bell 407’s plays a life-saving role in the program – and when a monitor can send the patient’s vital statistics via wireless email, in order to display the information on a doctor’s I-Phone, the result is more than exciting, it’s plain awesome.  For the last five years, LifeFlight Eagle has used the MRL PIC 50 monitor to read patient cardiac vital statistics, while transporting patients in serious need of speed and highly advanced medical care. The time has come, however, to upgrade our monitoring systems because the older model is no longer supported from a maintenance perspective and because newer technology truly helps to save more lives.

Today, monitoring systems have been enhanced to include large easy-to-read screens and upgraded designs that allow for easier use.  In the air ambulance industry, however, monitor design has to fit the limited dimensions of the air craft which means a smaller device that still provides the flight crew all of the technological advances.  They simply have to have a smaller profile in order to be mounted properly and work within the scope of practice, from a clinical standpoint.

With this in mind, LifeFlight Eagle selected the new Zoll E Series cardiac monitor for each of our four air craft.  The device transmits information via Blue Tooth technology, sending a wireless transmission to an email address, fax or cell phone.  This means emergency departments and even doctors who may be at home or traveling can receive real-time readings while LifeFlight Eagle is en route to a hospital.

An example would be a LifeFlight Eagle flight crew gathering patient cardiac vital statistics by running a 12 lead electrocardiogram (ECG), which displays and records the heart’s electrical activity from electrodes on the body surface – that information can be sent to the emergency department or physician before they even leave the ground.  The emergency department needs no additional technology or computer equipment, since the transmission shows up as an email or on a phone.  Depending on the information received, the right team of medical professionals with the right tools can be assembled prior to the patient’s arrival.

The E Series also allows our medical crews to measure a patient’s exhaled carbon dioxide whether aided by a breathing tube or breathing on his own.  This is used as a key indicator for how well the heart and lungs are working and how well they are working together to provide oxygen to tissues and rid the body of carbon dioxide.. Previously this could only be measured after a breathing tube had been placed.

Currently, LifeFlight Eagle is completing training on the new Zoll system and monitors have been installed in the aircraft to meet FAA standards.  Zoll recently spent 3 days with LifeFlight Eagle medical crews, training them to be ‘super users’, i.e., those who can operate and train others on the system.