Tech Med
Q-CPR Measurement and feedback talking tool
By
Dec 6, 2005, 02:42

Courtesy the EMS House of DeFrance http://www.defrance.org

CNNMoney.com is covering the latest innovation in resuscitative equipment: "a new defibrillator from Philips [that] talks paramedics through CPR and shuts up when they get it right." Philips Electronics describes its FDA cleared Q-CPR™ technology for CPR measurement and feedback (currently configurable on company's HeartStart MRx monitor/defibrillator):

"Emergency responders have a high level of training. However, balancing the correct amount of breaths with the exact depth and rate of chest compressions is actually a very complicated process with a high likelihood of human error," said Dr. Lance Becker, Associate Professor of Medicine and the Director of the Emergency Resuscitation Research Center at the University of Chicago. "Q-CPR will help emergency responders deliver quality CPR consistently, even in the most stressful and fast-paced environments."

Quality CPR and early defibrillation are inextricably linked - the combination is essential to increase the survival rate for victims of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). When breath rates or chest compression targets are not being met, Q-CPR provides visual and audio cues that help rescuers adjust their technique. Laerdal, the worldwide leader in CPR solutions, developed Q-CPR technology over a five-year period to enable caregivers to not just "feel" CPR, but to see and hear how they are doing, helping to improve the quality of CPR for their patients in real-time.

In addition, Q-CPR enables collection of CPR data for post-event review and de-brief. This data management feature enables system-wide analysis of how well CPR is being performed and can help drive improvements in the quality of CPR in an emergency medical response (EMS) system or hospital. The Q-CPR device weighs less than a half a pound, adding virtually no weight to the HeartStart MRx, and is easy to use and apply to the patient.

According to CNNMoney.com, the basic MRx costs $9,250, and the Q-CPR feature costs an additional $3,795.

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