Hi Keith,
My service uses defibs with hands free/stick on pads and we still have to be
stationary to shock. The reason given is that the motion of the vehicle
(motion artifact) may cause the defib to misinterpret the patients cardiac
rhythm and thus display an incorrect rhythm on the screen. This may cause
the paramedic to shock a patient when he shouldn't. When using it in semi
automatic mode it might then allow you to shock a non shockable rhythm, or
not allow you to shock a shockable one.
Tim Hayes
NHS Student ambulance technician
----- Original Message -----
From: Keith Blackie <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
I have to ask if the treatment in the back of a moving ambulance if you have
v.f. has improved. In my experience many ambulance service personnel are not
allowed to defibrillate a patient unless the vehicle has come to a complete
stop. This i am led to believe is to ensure the safety of the crew member
delivering the d.c. shock. I know that hands free pads have been around for
a while now and my ambulance service has decided to go over to there use.
Surely the days of "stop "n" shock are numbered?
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