New defibrillators help to save lives

February 26th 2002

Nurses at the West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust are now able to give electric shocks to cardiac arrest patients (a process known as defibrillation ) in the absence of a doctor, thanks to the Trust investing £50,000 in 7 new Zoll defibrillators.

The new machines offer significant technological advantages over earlier models, and are now available on every medical and surgical ward.

Only doctors and nurses working in specialist areas can use the older defibrillators, as they need to be able to read the heart rhythm on the ECG monitor, decide whether to shock the patient and if so what level of energy to use to restart the heart.

With the new models, a nurse attaches defibrillator pads to a patient. The machine then compares the patient s heart rhythm to its database memory, determines whether a shock is needed, and if so applies the correct level of energy through the pads.  To maintain safety, the shock is not applied until a button is pressed by the nurse.

"The new equipment means that defibrillation can now be nurse-led throughout the Trust, which is a major innovation," said Barry Smith, clinical skills training manager.  "We are training every nurse in the Trust to use the defibrillator, meaning that when a patient goes into cardiac arrest there will be no need to wait until a doctor arrives from another part of the hospital.  Patients will on average be shocked 3-4 minutes earlier, by the person who discovers they have arrested.

"All shocks need to be carried out within 10 minutes of cardiac arrest, but 75% of survivors come from people shocked within the first 5 minutes.  The extra few minutes which the machines give us will be instrumental in saving lives."

The new machines complement 4 such defibrillators already in use in the Trust.  So far 200 nurses throughout the Trust have been trained in how to use the device.

"The feedback from the nurses has been very positive," said Julie Head, resuscitation co-ordinator.  "The defibrillator is easy to use, and the nurses feel empowered that they are able to do something to help the patient rather than just waiting for the doctor to arrive.

"When a patient is in cardiac arrest, it is stressful for staff.  The new defibrillators will increase staff confidence and lower stress levels, as well as saving the lives of patients."

As part of the £50,000 investment, all of the trollies have been standardised so that identical equipment is always present on every ward.

"When someone has gone into cardiac arrest, their likelihood of survival usually depends on how quickly their heart can be restarted," said Barry Smith.  "With just a few minutes before the brain and heart begin to decay through lack of oxygen, time is paramount.

"By enabling nurses to attempt to restart the heart before the arrival of a doctor, the new defibrillators are a vital step forward.  It is a significant development for the Trust, and is all part of ensuring that our patients receive the best level of care available."