Editor’s note: This is another in a monthly series of articles celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Shawano Area Community Foundation.
The Bonduel Emergency Medical Service received a $5,000 grant through Shawano Area Community Foundation to assist in the purchase of a Life Pak 15 Cardiac Monitor.
These funds, along with additional funds received through the Dr. Grover EMS Foundation, the Bonduel Community Fund, the Bleser Foundation, the Bonduel Lions Club and the Bonduel Fire Department, totaled the $30,000 purchase price for the monitor.
The initial idea for this system, along with the training and protocol procedures, was implemented by Bill Berkhahn.
The Bonduel EMS is the first participant in a pilot program in the state to offer a 12-lead transmission to detect heart blockages and other heart issues that need immediate attention. The importance of this pilot program is that first responders normally do not provide this type of immediate care. If the program is successful, it will go into the scope of practice for all first-responders.
In the 18 months since the pilot program started, Bonduel first responders have utilized the monitor 20 times and successfully diagnosed a heart attack in one patient, who received faster treatment and survived. The patient was home recovering comfortably two days later.
Berkhahn said the technological advancement means faster diagnosis of a patient’s condition which can save precious minutes in starting treatment.
“That’s what it’s all about,” he said.
By having this Life Pak 15 Cardiac Monitor, the Bonduel EMS can begin to monitor a heart situation while a modem transmits the information to an emergency room doctor. This initial care can begin within two to five minutes of a call while the ambulance may be 10 to 15 minutes out, or longer in rural situations. The emergency room can relay the information to the ambulance attendants. By the time the ambulance arrives at the emergency site, there is already information for the attendants to begin processing the situation. The ambulance attendants will have advanced knowledge to begin patient treatment and to allow for faster transporting to the proper facility.
This advanced treatment is extremely important in STEMI calls where there is blockage to the heart.
The Life Pak 15 Cardiac Monitor also has the ability to provide CO2 monitoring, which is helpful in firefighter rehab and firefighting calls.
This program has been endorsed by state, area and local medical personnel with hopes of cutting the scene time and better assisting the service and outcome to patients.
Bonduel EMS Director Rodney Hoppe said the pilot program has been a big success, largely because of the dedication of his staff in learning the new equipment and demonstrating its potential to save lives.
“I’m really impressed,” Hoppe said. “Our whole crew has just taken it and run with it.”
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