Robot paramedic used to carry out CPR in ambulance [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• A robot paramedic known as LUCAS 3 is now being used to perform Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on patients while in an ambulance.
• The device is capable of doing consistent CPR with bluetooth features to configure the process.
• It “transforms the management at a cardiac arrest and allows paramedics to focus on the key aspects of clinical care,” per Prof. Charles Deakin.

For the first time, a “robot paramedic” was used to perform chest compressions on patients while in an ambulance in a bid to enable the emergency team to do other significant medical tasks.

Called LUCAS 3, the South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) was the first medical group to board the newest medical technology. They availed over 28 devices which were distributed across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire.

From the time that responders arrive at the scene and throughout the patient’s trip to the hospital onboard the ambulance, the mechanical system-based device can constantly perform high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) chest compressions.

Per a representative from the SCAS: “Once paramedics arrive and begin CPR or take over from bystanders who may have initiated it, the transition from manual compressions to LUCAS can be completed within seven seconds, ensuring continuity of compressions.”

With Bluetooth connectivity features, the system’s settings such as the compression rate and depth as well as other notifications pertaining to the resuscitation process can be set up.

The data generated while using the technology can also be stored and reviewed afterwards.

According to SCAS medical director Dr. John Black, they know that “delivering high quality and uninterrupted chest compressions in cardiac arrest is one of the major determinants of survival to hospital discharge but it can be very challenging for a number of reasons.”

“People can become fatigued when performing CPR manually which then affects the rate and quality of compressions, and patients may need to be moved from difficult locations, such as down a narrow flight of stairs, or remote places which impedes the process,” he added.

He also said that there were also “significant safety risks to ambulance personnel being unrestrained and performing CPR in the back of vehicles travelling at high speed,” adding that such tools “don’t fatigue or change the delivery in any way, meaning high quality CPR can be delivered for as long as is required while freeing up the paramedic, keeping them seated and belted and able to focus on other critical aspects of patient care on a journey.”

According to SCAS divisional medical director Prof. Charles Deakin, the device “transforms the management at a cardiac arrest and allows paramedics to focus on the key aspects of clinical care.”

“It will be an invaluable part of the team and contribute to the already outstanding results that SCAS have achieved in saving lives of these patients.”

The device was an improved version of the one evaluated by SCAS health professionals in 2014 during the PARAMEDIC trial initiated by the University of Warwick. The innovation was also published in The Lancet.

Source: Irish Examiner