Cardiac Monitors- Which is best?

[Umbro98765]

Zoll X-Series

Just released a couple months ago, but based off the very popular Air Medical verison the ProPaq MD. Smaller than all other monitors with more capabilities than them all. Check it out, I'm impressed!
http://www.zoll.com/medical-products...tors/x-series/

[RyDnE62bckwrds]

lifepak is my favorite

[CastelJ]

Don't know if you have purchased yet or not but thought I'd give you another side of the MRx. We have had these for almost 3 years now and since we got them we have been less than impressed. We have 17 ALS Ambulances and only 1 Engine that is ALS these trucks run about 36,000 medical/MVC calls a year.

We switched from the LifePak 12 to the Phillips and have found them to be less durable. We break the printer every once in a while, lots of little crevices where blood and other gunk can collect.

Other issues are with obtaining 12-leads, we have lots of artifact and tend not to get as clear of a printout as we did with the old LP 12's. The full-size color screen is nice however. The paper is shorter in height as well causing everything to be pushed together more.

Another on-going problem we have had was the temperature probe that comes from Phillips, the tympanic temp probe was incredibly innaccurate, its average reading was in the 87 degree range. The oral/rectal temp probe was slightly better aaveraging in the low 90's when used. We tried different probes, updating the software, everything we could working with the rep and could never solve the issue.

The pulse ox probe looks nice in theory but doesn't fit well on people with big hands. The pediatric pulse ox probe is retarded, just a downsized adult probe, I much preferred the tape on pulse ox probes from Physio.

We have problems with the case as well, it is held to the monitor by velcro straps that are about 1"x1", that's not a lot of contact space and they are always coming un-done. A few other straps are about 2 inches long but only a quarter inch wide, never stays velcroed so we have resulted to taping over the velcro, real nice.

Overall as a service we are not pleased with them and considering the issues they don't give us anything our old LP 12's couldn't have been upgraded to give (LP 12's were monophasic, no NiBP, and no EtCO2). All in all we wish we had gone a different route.

[ElevAED]

Along this line - I am donating an AED to our local school. I have been looking for a refurb Lifepak 500, if for no other reason that is what all the Fire Departments in the area use, our trainer is a Lifepak 500 trainer, etc.

Best price I find for a biphasic is around 600, (and even then some of the dealers advertising don't appear to have in stock what they advertise)

Any good sources?

I'm a Physio-Control distributor and I extend a 15% discount to firefighter/ambulance professionals. Just use the coupon code EMS in our online catalog. Or message me directly.

[Josh FFD]

I am on a small vol dept but the guy that we put in charge to get our de fib was a full time EMT P in the Twin Cities for about 20 years. He has seen and tried them all and he not only chose the ZOLL for us but also for the dept he runs.

This is a VERY easy machine to use, faxing 12 leads, pacing, shocking, and on and on. I have no trouble teaching any of this to my members. We use ZOLL E series in both our Ambulances and will untill for at least as long as I am on. Keep in mind also, the resale on the machine you will get, if like us we keep them for only a few years as they do out date fairly fast. Yes there are updates but there is some things you cant update.

We just got a C PAC making CPR a breaze no matter how ruff the road. Maybe you could get both and strike a deal. Oh for those who dont know C PAC is a automatic CPR machine.

[LVFD301]

Along this line - I am donating an AED to our local school. I have been looking for a refurb Lifepak 500, if for no other reason that is what all the Fire Departments in the area use, our trainer is a Lifepak 500 trainer, etc.

Best price I find for a biphasic is around 600, (and even then some of the dealers advertising don't appear to have in stock what they advertise)

Any good sources?

[deputychief1441]

Just got the new LifePak 15's with BP, ETCO2, 12 lead.....Nice monitor the only disadvantage so far, is the battery is the only power source there is no AC plug made for them yet. Not a big deal now but as the batteries age may be a problem.

[MontvilleFire39]

Whichever one pays the best....

We have the Philips MRx here in Memphis and have had them for a little over a year. They work very well and have proven to be pretty durable.

[islafire]

Corretct, but it is the amps not the joules you need to worry about.

What? Explain.

We are in the process of buying new monitors. From what we have been shown, the zoll is the only one that delivers the correct amount of amps per pt.

Sounds like a sales pitch to me. All monitors capable of defibrillation are FDA approved medical devices and as such must meet strict guidelines. If a Lifepak doesn't deliver the "correct amount of amps per pt" than it would be a defective device and Medtronic would be subject to some serious liability.

[allison0523]

Cardiac Monitors

You all make good points. I agree that all 3 would be options and there seems to be only subtle differences between all of them.

[Firemedic 61]

The best monitor for you is the one that is easiest or most familiar for you to use. All perform to standards or the FDA wouldn't allow them on the market. I have used Physio, Phillips and Zolls over the years and I'm just more used to the Lifepaks so that is what I prefer. We currently use the LP-15's which perform with no problem and are set up just like the 12's so the transition is brainless.

[TNFF319]

The Physio's shock at 360 for biphasic as well. I think you need to do some research here.

Corretct, but it is the amps not the joules you need to worry about.

We are in the process of buying new monitors. From what we have been shown, the zoll is the only one that delivers the correct amount of amps per pt. I have used all three moitors and there is not much diffrence in any of them.

[Capt790]

Life Star ambulance uses the Phillips monitors. Miramontes could get you in touch with somebody to get their opinions of it.

[FFMedic31]

Touche, sir. I'm rusty on my Physio knowledge I guess. Thanks for correcting me.

[jbrescue]

The Philips and Zoll monitors charge to 200J for Biphasic shocks, the Physio charges to 360J for Monophasic. Do you guys know the difference between the two? Kind of a big deal.
:

The Physio's shock at 360 for biphasic as well. I think you need to do some research here.