The Right Ventilator for the Job

For a lot of EMS services covering a wide geographical footprint, transport to the nearest hospital may mean a lengthy drive. During those times, EMS providers need to know they have equipment they can count on to provide effective care for their patients.

Clay County Fire Rescue based in Green Cove Springs, FL, believes it’s found such a device in the Airon pNeuton model S transport ventilator, says PIO/Training Captain Bernita Bush, MPA, EMT-P, and they can’t wait to utilize the device in their entire fleet.

“Three pNeuton S units were initially purchased in 2012, and piloted in early 2013,” Bush says. “Ten additional units were purchased at the end of 2013 to fully allow integration of the units into all our ALS ambulances at once. We have recently received those additional 10, and are awaiting the kits to go with them so they may be placed on our ambulances. This should occur by mid-March 2014.”

Airon’s pNeuton model S transport ventilator provides adult/pediatric volume or bi-level pressure ventilation and high performance CPAP in EMS environments. Pure pneumatic technology eliminates the need for batteries. A choice of 100% or 65% oxygen delivery lets providers significantly extend transport times—up to 45 minutes on a D cylinder.

That comes in handy in Clay County, which encompasses 644 square miles of rural/urban interface areas in Northeast Florida, with a population of more than 190,000 residents. Prior to 2013, Clay County had only one hospital, and frequently, transports occurred long distances from some of these more rural areas. These extended transports demanded a high-quality device to ensure adequate airway support occurred for patients requiring this care.

“Frequently, two-person crews responded to calls and provided transportation,” says Bush. “As a second person was not always available to ride in, or if the patient crashed during transport, the paramedic providing care in the back of the truck needed to be able to multi-task during transports. Distance from appropriate medical facilities or time spent getting into and out of some of the more harrowing locales we encounter, proves an ongoing need for quality ventilation equipment which can be rapidly applied and correctly utilized in a field environment. The pNeuton S meets these challenges for Clay County.”

Visit www.AironUSA.com.