Hospital receives chest compression system

By Rob Vogt
The Claresholm General Hospital has received a new piece of valuable equipment that will benefit health care in the community.
The LUCAS Chest Compression System arrived two weeks ago, and with staff trained last week, is already in use.
Barry Arnestad, clinical nurse educator, said the new equipment is a Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR device that allows nurses and doctors to be hands free.
“This device does all the chest compressions for them,” he said.
That allows nurses and doctors to attend to the other needs of the patient.
The machine does not tire like a health-care professional would, and research shows it improves the return of spontaneous blood circulation.
Arnestad also stressed the Claresholm and District Health Foundation invested a large sum of money, about $23,000, to purchase the LUCAS Chest Compression System.
He noted a similar device is used in Lethbridge by their fire department and emergency medical services.
“It has been really successful,” Arnestad said.
He pointed out by the device doing chest compressions, it frees up three people who otherwise would have to rotate through to do chest compressions.
“It really does benefit the practitioner,” Arnestad said.
He added it will have a much wider effect.
“It’s going to benefit the whole community,” Arnestad said.