"Code Ready” Defibrillator Available to Hospitals

A new defibrillator offers tools that can help clinicians improve cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performance and deployment of pacing and defibrillation therapy.

This R Series defibrillator, intended for hospital use, 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. Besides shock delivery, the system checks more than 40 measures of readiness, including the presence of the correct cables and electrodes, the type of electrodes, and other important electronics.

A main feature of the R Series is See-Thru CP, a function that helps clinicians minimize interruptions in CPR performance. While viewing the electrocardiogram (ECG) on a monitor/defibrillator, artifact noises 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.

A visual aid known as the CPR Index, along with audible prompts (i.e., "Push Harder” and "Good Compressions”), allows clinicians to see how well they are performing the rate and depth of chest compressions in real time and quickly adjust their compressions to improve blood flow. All CPR performance data and the entire resuscitation record, including the ECG, can be downloaded and reviewed for quality assurance and training purposes.

The R Series defibrillator is a product of Zoll Medical (Chelmsford, MA, USA).

"Hospital clinicians know that the worst time to find out a defibrillator isn't working is during a cardiac arrest event,” said Richard A. Packer, president and CEO of Zoll. "The R Series is the first and only ‘Code-Ready' defibrillator. It raises the bar on what clinicians will expect from their defibrillators.”



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Zoll Medical