Effective: 08-27-23
Supersedes:
Purpose: Quincy Fire and Quincy EMS (Brewster) are making a minor modification to our initial management of the Cardiac Arrest patient.
Procedure: The 1st arriving Defib (usually) fire – will place the pads in Anterior-Posterior position.
The goal is to minimize interruption of chest compressions. EMS can apply a Lucas and otherwise manage the patient as needed.
The use of the AED offers a chance for cognitive off-loading; especially when PB. Let the AED free you up to perform your other initial interventions.
In the event that REFRACTORY* V-Fib is identified, ALS may elect to employ Vector-Change defibrillation by placing pads in the more traditional Anterior-Lateral position. This can be done without interrupting CPR.
*Refractory VF is VF which has been defibrillated 3 times WITHOUT a rhythm change; this is distinct from Recurrent VF (which may return after previously being terminated).
Police (for now) will still be placing Pads AL but their pads are NOT compatible with ours and will need to be swapped out.