Panhandle hospitals receive life-saving devices

More than 55 trainees from 15 hospitals, fire crews and EMS squads gathered in the Regional West Sorensen Education Center for training on how to use their new Lucas2 chest compression devices.

The devices were made possible with grant funds from Nebraska Health and Human Services, and the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. The three-year, $6 million grant is being used to purchase lifesaving equipment for ambulances and hospitals.

The CPR devices will increase the chance of survival for Nebraskans in cardiac arrest.

During a heart attack, patients need a steady supply of oxygen to the brain to avoid neurological damage. Chest compressions help maintain circulation to supply oxygen; however performing manual chest compressions can be exhausting and difficult for emergency responders and health care providers. The devices free up the responders hands to focus on other lifesavings tasks and rescue opportunities, while still providing uninterrupted chest compressions.

Area hospitals that received the CPR devices are: Sidney Regional Medical Center, Regional West Medical Center, Regional West-Garden County, Box Butte General Hospital, Kimball Health Services, Morrill County Community Hospital and Chadron Community Hospital.

Area ambulance services that received the CPR devices include: Sidney, Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Oshkosh, Alliance Fire Department, Morrill County Community Hospital, Chadron Volunteer Fire Department and Kimball County Ambulance Services. Two representatives from each entity attended the training.