The Minnesota Department of Health announced a new initiative to place life-saving equipment in ambulances and emergency rooms across the state.
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust is funding the project with a $4 million grant.
The grant will be used to place an automated chest compression device, called Physio-Control LUCAS 2 Chest Compression System, into ambulance services and hospitals across the state. The project will include the necessary training for using the devices and will be coordinated by the health department.
The LUCAS 2 device became available in the Twin Cities metro area about five years ago, where it is now widely used. However, the Helmsley Foundation estimates that the greatest need is in greater Minnesota with 80 percent of ambulances and hospitals in the state lacking access. The grant will allow these providers to obtain the equipment at no cost.
"This is part of our effort to ensure quality health care for all Minnesotans," said Commissioner of Health Dr. Ed Ehlinger. "Our goal is to improve cardiac arrest survival rates by installing these devices in every ambulance and hospital in the state."
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Minnesota's survival rate from cardiac arrest is 14 percent. The national rate is less than 5 percent. When cardiac arrest occurs, the heart stops abruptly, the victim collapses and quickly loses consciousness. If a normal heart rhythm is not restored within minutes, the person usually dies. The automated chest compression device more effectively and consistently delivers the necessary chest compressions, increasing the patient's chances of survival.
MDH will reach out to all EMS and hospital providers in early 2015 to coordinate training activities and distribution of the devices.
