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Interviews with end users of EMS products and services Two Infusions, One Pump When a major player bowed out of Minnesota's critical care ground transport market in 2011, another had to step in. Allina Medical Transportation, the ambulance/EMS wing of the state's large Allina Health network, had a lot of ramping up to do, including procuring new equipment like multichannel infusion pumps. In that limited market, they found an impressive newcomer in B. Braun Medical's BodyGuard CME 121 Twins. "It has a lot of positives, " says Operations Supervisor Roger Skic. "It's compact and easy to carry. You can throw two or three in a jump bag and keep them charged up and ready for when you need them. And the battery life is extraordinary—probably 6–8 hours without having to recharge, which is excellent compared to others I've used." The BodyGuard CME 121 Twins allows dual infusions through a single device, with a high flow rate (up to 1,200 mL/hr.) that enables a broad range of therapies. A customizable drug library speeds programming and helps avert errors, and a petite design helps preserve limited ambulance space. With very sick patients who need multiple medications—and some of Allina's can require as many 10 drips—that flexibility in administration is essential. "The drug library comes with some defaults, but we changed those for our drugs and concentrations," says Skic. "That makes it easy for a clinician to go in and choose specific drugs and know they're not making an error. So it really is kind of a 'smart' pump, if you put your own drug library into it. " Skic also notes the BodyGuard's toughness; "I think it's construc- tion is a bit more robust than other multichannel pumps I've used," he says. "The hinges and doors are very solid, and the tubing sets are easy to use. " Allina has obtained a half dozen and has plans for that many more. Visit www.bbraunusa.com Circle 35 on Reader Service Card Combine CPAP and Capnography Into One Effective Treatment Package Multitasking is the new normal. EMS agencies are all doing more with less, so the ability to multitask effectively—especially when it means streamlining procedures and providing better patient care—is paramount. When your equipment helps you do it, all the better. The CPAP Combo kit provided by Bound Tree Medical, comprised of the Pulmodyne O2-RESQ and Oridion Microstream disposable CO2 sampling lines, can treat the spontaneously breathing patient and provide emergency responders with insight into the patient's condition and the effectiveness of CPAP treatment. Both systems are completely disposable and help enable a seamless transfer of care into the emergency department. The systems are packaged together to help enable quick and easy implementation of CPAP treatment. "As a fire-based EMS agency, we were already using the O2-RESQ BiTrac CPAP setup with great success," says Kevin Schmidt, captain of the West Metro Fire Protection District in Lakewood, CO. "We were using capnography integrated with our EKG monitoring mainly as a requirement for our intubation verification. What we were missing was the application of capnography while utilizing CPAP; the two compo- nents were viewed as separate modalities. By combining the two Data Recorder Provides Legal Protection for Agency In today's world of what seems like relentless lawsuits being filed, it's more important than ever EMS professionals protect themselves in the event their practices come under fire. Drew McKenzie, assistant director of logistics and senior tactical medic at Mobile Life Support Services in New Windsor, NY, says less expensive prod- ucts are available, but "you get what you pay for. The Digital Ally DVM-250Plus Event Data Recorder, " however, is reliable, and provides excellent video and sound, explains McKenzie. He says the product is fairly new to the EMS industry, but has many success stories in law enforcement. Mobile Life Support Services received two camera systems in the spring of this year. Previously, Mobile Life Support was using a self-contained unit and had several issues with lost or corrupted data. The device also only had a forward-facing and cab cameras. With the Digital Ally DVM-250Plus, the group is able to record audio and 58 AUGUST 2012 | EMSWORLD.com components into one package—the CPAP Combo kit—the paramedic is reminded to apply capnography for instant feedback on the efficacy of their CPAP delivery. Schmidt says the kit has proven " extremely successful in the field, as it forces EMS providers to consider both CPAP and capnography as an integrated therapy. "Capnography provides a far quicker assessment for treatment success than does pulse oximetry, " Schmidt adds. "The packaging reminds the provider to integrate both." And that reminder means providers are able to focus their care without worrying that they've missed something, ensuring efficient, effective patient care in the field. Visit www.boundtree.com Circle 36 on Reader Service Card video inside, as well as video outside the vehicle, and that recording can be set to start automatically or manually. McKenzie says his group wanted the ability to have the unit go into "low power" when the vehicle's ignition was turned off, and also have the camera fully operational in seconds after the ignition was turned on. This product does that, and much more. "Additionally," he says, "we wanted the ability to record the backup camera when the rear doors were opened in case there was an issue with loading or unloading the stretcher." All employees' wishes were fulfilled with the Digital Ally Event Data Recorder. The SD card can easily be pulled and replaced, and the video reviewed and saved on a computer. The card can also be locked so it is unable to be switched or tampered with. "Since we initiated video recording about a year ago, we have had some incidents where the cameras have provided proof that our staff was compliant with policies and procedures," says McKenzie. Visit www.digitalally.com Circle 37 on Reader Service Card FROM THE FIELD product applications