Technology has made massive shifts in all industries today, and the medical field is one of which has seen significant improvements. One of the main challenges that many medical facilities encounter is when they are faced with emergency cases, worse yet if they are not prepared and equipped. As a result, many people end up losing their lives. The good thing, however, is that there have been positive changes in how medical practitioners are now dealing with emergency cases, all thanks to technology. Today, there is better access to medical services, and needless to say, the emergency response systems have since upgraded. In this article, we will be looking at some of the emergency preparedness equipment that are being used today to save lives.
#1. Biomedical refrigerators
One of the main problems that the emergency response unit faces is poor handling of blood and blood components, especially during emergencies. Remember, at such times, most people who are involved most often require some blood transfusion in the process, and that is only possible if the blood is still considered viable on arrival. Blood and its components should be transported in blood bags that are sterile, pyrogen-free, and under the right temperatures, which is between 1°C- 6°C. To help out with maintaining the blood in its proper state, paramedics use biomedical refrigerators. The technology that is used in the manufacture of the fridges ensures that the temperatures are right and that the blood is transported safely. In fact, most of the biomedical refrigerators manufactured by BioFridge have a real-time temperature regulation equipment that is linked to a computer system for easy monitoring.
#2. Defibrillators
Another very essential equipment during emergencies is the defibrillators. While you might be thinking that the defibrillators are used to jump-start the heart, that is not the case. Instead, they are used to restore the standard heart rate of the patient. It is usually used for patients who have a cardiac arrest. The latest defibrillators come with an ECG monitor whereby the paramedic is able to see and monitor the patient’s ECG. This has, in turn, made it easier for the paramedic to know their patient’s status without necessarily having two separate equipment to do the job.
#3. Spine boards
Spinal injuries are quite common in emergency cases such as accidents, and that’s where the spine boards come in handy. The spine boards are often unpadded and are used to maintain the posture of the patients to avoid further spinal injuries. They provide support to the patients back, and often they also come in fitted with straps that are tied around the patient, to prevent them from changing their position.
#4. Bag valve mask
In cases where the patient is not able to breathe well, the bag valve mask is what is used. This device is connected to an oxygen cylinder, which provides the patient with enough oxygen that helps them breathe. The paramedic manually presses or squeezes the bag valve mask to allow the oxygen to pass through the patient’s lungs. They also come in different sizes, which are used depending on the patient’s age.
#5. Wound care equipment
Bandages, gauze, wraps, and burn dressings are some of the wound care equipment that are very vital in emergency cases. Burn dressings, for example, come in handy where a patient might have been in a fire scene or even been involved in an accident in their homes. The wound care equipment is, in fact, a must-have in any emergency case. Most of the wound care equipment is typically carried alongside other surgical sundries in a jump bag.
#6. Medications
There are quite a number of medicines that are administered in emergency cases, some of which include painkillers. The drugs are usually carried in a bag that has small compartments where different medications are kept safely. The medicine is usually handled by a professional paramedic who knows exactly what each medicine is and how it should be administered to the patient.
The equipment, as mentioned above, are just but a few among many which are used in emergency cases. And as aforementioned, technology has, with no doubt, played a big role in ensuring that the standards of the emergency preparedness equipment are topnotch. However, it is vital to note that for the emergency response system to work efficiently, the paramedic’s team has to be well prepared. Training the staff on how to handle and use the equipment is paramount as it determines how well emergency cases will be handled. Also, technology has enabled better and faster communication during emergency cases. As a result, doctors are able to communicate and give proper instructions to the emergency rescue teams hence making the process efficient.
Unnati Vaidya
Unnati Vaidya is a freelancer Content Writer and SEO generalist. She is an enthusiastic reader of Novels and a big fan of watching Sci-fi movies and seasons!