By Brittany Shane
WSAV
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Twelve new heart monitors will soon be joining the Hilton Head Fire Department, outfitting each ambulance with the new equipment, and firefighters say this could add valuable life-saving minutes.
“As EMS and technology has modernized, we capture the heart rhythm of the patient and then transmit it to the hospital, our capability right now is they have to come back to the ambulance and then transmit it so they cant do it from the patients side. We’re hoping with the new technology, new monitors we can give the paramedics and the patients the opportunity to have better care,” said Chief Brad Tadlock.
The department has been thrifty in maximizing the life span of this equipment, the current heart monitors have been used since 2000 and only have a shelf life through September of this year.
Read full story: HHI Fire & Rescue Receive Grant for Heart Monitors