Lifepak 12's

[Resq14]

Any comments from people using LP-12's in the field?

How 'bout the options you have... ETCO2, NIBP, SpO2, 12-Lead, 12-Lead analysis, AED, etc.

[DCFyrMdc]

LP12's are a show...they are fantastic. I was skeptical at first ebcause I had learned how to get more than 3 leads out of my LP10, but the LP12 does it all.

We have the O2 sat, NiBP and 12 leads though we are still not utilizing 12 leads because of lack of a country protocol (they are in the process of training, etc. to implemet this.)

My biggest pluses with it are the fact that I am not directly on the patient during defibrillation, i.e. I'm increasing my overall safety. Additionally, the defib pads hook into the Lifepak 500 (AED) so when an engine gets there, I can concentrate on the airway in a code situation.

The only negative I know of is that the batteries seem to drop after repeated calls and use of the blood pressure monitor. I run generally 4-6 calls per duty night or 12-20 per 48 hour weekend duty, so there ends up being a good deal of battery changing.

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Christopher Suprun
Firefighter/EMT-Cardiac
Dale City Vol Fire Dept.
www.dcvfd.org

[Canmedic]

I like the LP12 quite a bit, but it does have some minor drawbacks. Ours are only equiped with Spo2; 100mm paper for 12 lead would be nice, especially for doing a quick 6-lead using only the limb leads.
I've also noticed more artifact than the LP10; not much, but enough to make p waves disappear.

[MM187]

You need a third person on the rig just to operate all the button, switches and do-dads....HATE IT......

[Trauma_Dog]

We are currently using the older Life Pak 11,we were using 2 demo units, however both of the broke and had to be taken out of service..No thanks my LP11 works just fine.

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Kent Simon
Paramedic Incharge
MCHD EMS,
Montgomery Co.,TX

[kmnader]

We carry life pak 12 on our rigs. I have used life PAK 5, 10, 11, 12 as well as the original Marquette, and also a ZOLL. IMHO the life PAK-12 is great and tops.

We have all the toys on ours, NiBP, PCO2, O2 sat, 12 lead - the works. The BP works great too, best of all automatic BP machines I have used.

We are doing 12 leads a lot, the LP-12 is a great machine. I would recommend to anyone. I think the PC02 option is under utilized in EMS. I try to use on all my resp calls now. You can also monitor PC02 with the LP-12 on the screen and it counts respirations too.

Kris

[pyroknight]

I really miss my LP12!!!! http://smilecwm.tripod.com/net2/icon202.gif My current agency still has LP10s. I got SO used to the 12 with my last FD. I still get to use the 12 at my part-time job. We only have the spO2, but the ability to do 12 leads and the ability to print three leads at once are awesome.

[heibs99]

We use LP-12 here, we love them! We had the Zoll, used them for 2 months and returned them for the LP-12. We have the SPO2, the 12 lead, pacer, and sync. cardioversion. Only thing not good about them is the defib cable. Apparently somewhat brittle (the old style) we have had 2 malfunctions. We now have the new heavy duty cables. Other than that, we love them!!

Heibs

[Kobersteen]

I use a LP12 equipped with 12 lead, ETCO2 & Pulse Ox on my Medic unit in Houston. It is a hell of alot easier than the LP10 I used to carry into the house and then have to hook the pt up to a Marquette in the rig for the 12 lead!

I also use a LP12 on my side job that is set up to default to AED. IMHO, the system does not really use the LP12 for all they could. Basically it is used simply because it is one unit monitor/NIBP/defib/AED. What really gets me about the system is the fact that since it is set up default to AED, I have to play with that dang thing to get a simple strip.

All in all, I am a LP12 fan!


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Cheers,

Kobersteen
Firefighter/Paramedic
Houston Fire Department
Webmaster - www.local341.org (http://www.local341.org)

[This message has been edited by Kobersteen (edited 11-11-2000).]

[medic 8]

Hello, Im from a small town that growing bigger everyday. My company has bought one about a year ago. we love it!!. Its not just a ALS tool but BLS can use it too. we have the NIBP, 12 lead, and the AED on it. we love it so much, that we are getting the second one with the same features. Yes it has alot of buttons. but it is worth it. it is easy to us with alittle training.

[cgoldy]

We have had cracks on the defib paddles on 3 of our lifepak 12's. I would be interested if anyone else has had similar experiences. The handles crack at a line on the side of the paddle.
Some of our medics love the 12's and others continue to prefer the 10's. Certainly the 12's are more versatile.
CFD_Safety@ci.canton.oh.us

[dousaems]

All of my companies are currently running with 12s. Most of us really like them. A couple of the complanies have all the bells and whistles, one of them has just a basic monitor (no B/P, pulse ox, etc.). The only things we don't like: it can be a pain to carry around; no paddles (for those of us who still enjoy that kind of thing); and they have a tendency to be really sensitive. We've had most of them for almost a year, and four of them decided to get real sensitive, as in anything from a-fib to V-tach showing up on a perfectly normal patient. Haven't figured it out totally, but it really messes with the 12-lead analyze function.


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Todd Dousa
NREMT-P, CCEMT-P

[Mike Pirie]

We use LP 12's with SpO2, EtCO2, 12 lead and NIBP. Overall I like them but they do go through a lot of batteries. It is nice to have all of the information recorded on one piece of paper. I haven't had any problems with artifact that couldn't be addressed with good skin prep. I like the SAED option in the monitor because it keeps all the members on our team involved.

Mike, Paramedic/FF

[Resq14]

Thanks to all for this great feedback. It's very useful.

=)

[keahi520]

Baltimore County just started using the LP12's and so far, we love them. It is nice because it allows the BLS providers to use the AED function, then with entering a four digit code it converts to a ALS monitor. Since it has the capiblities to host BP cuffs, SaO2, tempertures, and a whole list of other things...it probably will be a major replacement for those of us who have a third person on our units (or make things easier for those who do not). Also the 12 lead option has been a real life saver for our patients who we suspect having an MI.

[firefighter_aemt]

are department has a LP- 12 and the guys realy like it . We currently are woriking on putting on NIBP and endtidal CO2 But are medics love it cause f the code markers for one thing ....

[rchildress]

My service are(Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky) uses Physio-contol products exclusively. We use the LP 12 on our squads and pumpers. It has pros and cons
The weight can't be beat. The add on accessorys are nice but are a pain when all you want to do is one fuction. You have to drag out the whole monitor just to check a pulse ox. The data recording capability is awesome.You could almost write your whole report through the monitor.
The biggest thing I do not like it the rotating switch to select different settings. In a busy situation it becomes too complicated. Overall I like the LP12 very much. The LP12 is what should have been put out as the LP11.
LP11 suck on all levels. They are heavy, 12 lead capability is useless in a rough ride, the seperate monitor and defib setup is horrible, and the screen functions suck. Physio should have never put it out. They should have introduced the LP12 as their first 12 lead monitor. The best all around monitor is the LP10. I abused that monitor endlessly and it never failed to work. If the LP12 can hold up like the 10 then it is the way to go.

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npfire/meic

[ALSfirefighter]

bump

[PuffyNPFD]

I use a LP-12 at my volly house with all the toys. I love it!
At my PT-job we have them with hands free defib, pacing, sPO2, and 12 Lead capabilities. My paid FD won't buy them. We run mostly EMT-Cardiacs and 12 Lead is beyond scope of their practice so there is no need in the dept's eyes. We have LP-10's which work well, they have pacing capabilities, and our easy to use. The only problem is I wish I had everything in one place. As far as the 12's are concerned the only drawbacks are too much artifact and battery life being too short, other than tat a good machine.

[RoryEl]

I like the LP 12, beats the rest.

[joejoe33]

We use the Lifepak 12 with 12 lead version on our MICU's and the Lifepak 12 lead II version on our paramedic engine companies.

Our 12 lead version has the SP02, pacer, syncronized cardioversion, hands-free difib, and 12 lead recognition mode. Ours has the black nylon carrying pouches on either side of the unit and the back for carrying extra electrodes, razors, pulse-ox probe, extra battery, defib pads and cable etc.

We're trying the all-in-one 12 lead electrode, but I haven't heard a lot of positive comments about it. I personally don't like the all-in-one electrode.

My only advice is use only Physio-Control brand batteries in the Lifepak 12. You get what you pay for and you won't void your warranty.

:p

[Toering]

We love the LP 12! but who here has a problem with not having enough time to place the 12 lead? Our transport time is so short in alot of cases that we would run out of time doing a 12 lead. Faxing the 12lead to the hospital is not to common around here, Anyone have any input on this prehospital perk?