Standards Procedure (Skill)

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Chest Compression—External Device

Clinical Indications:                                                               Levels: EMT-B, EMT- D,

                                                                                                             EMT-I, EMT-P

Ø      Cardiac Arrest in patient age 12 years or greater

Ø      Need for the automated performance of chest compressions

Procedure:

a.       Place the patient in a supine position and position the device over the inferior 1/3 portion of the patient’s sternum.

b.      Adjust the device so that the compression depth is at 11/2 to 2 inches or 1/3 the depth of the anterior-posterior dimension of the chest.

c.       Adjust the rate for 80 to 100 compressions per minutes.

d.      Ensure that you have a carotid and/or femoral pulse with each device provided compression.

e.       If there are any difficulties, remove the external device and resume manual compressions as directed under the cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedure.

f.        Document the procedure ands the results on the ACR.

Certification Requirements:

Successfully complete an annual skill evaluation including the indications, contraindications, technique, and possible complications of the procedure.