Fallon Ambulance Adopts Lifepak®12 Defibrillator/Monitor Series For Emergency Cardiac Care

Fallon Ambulance has added a new, state-of-the-art piece of emergency cardiac care equipment to shave minutes from on-the-scene diagnostic and treatment services when a patient has suffered a heart attack.

Fallon has adopted the new LIFEPAK®12 defibrillator/monitor series as their resuscitation device for emergency cardiac care, in particular the immediate recognition and treatment of myocardial infarction, better known as the heart attack.

The new $18,000 units are already in operation in key Fallon paramedic trucks, and more are scheduled to be placed on-line later in the year.

Saves minutes in rescue - when minutes count

Essentially, a heart attack is the narrowing or blockage of a coronary artery, a blood vessel that feeds the heart. The blood flow and oxygen to the heart are reduced. Damage to the heart muscle is irreversible within 15 to 30 minutes of the heart attack, or the time that the blood flow to tissues is blocked. It is essential to deliver effective medical treatment to a person suffering from a heart attack as soon as possible.

Key information can he transmitted to hospital from the road via cellular phone

The LIFEPAK®12 defibrillator allows paramedics to perform computerized 12 lead electrocardiography (ECG) before the patient reaches the hospital, giving a detailed test that provides information about the condition of the heart in its entirety. Assimilation and confirmation of myocardial infarction can be made, and ECG information can be transmitted via cellular phone on the way to the hospital. Physicians are enabled to know the exact status and be prepared for the patient's arrival and can administer treatment immediately, thereby improving and speeding a patient's chances for fuller recovery.

The LIFEPAK®12 monitors the ECG continuously. It also has the capability to provide defibrillation and pacing to maintain the heart's rhythm if necessary. Currently, the unit is being phased in so that it will be on-line in each of the communities serviced by Fallon by September. Fallon provides 9-1-1 service to Milton, Quincy, Braintree, Brookline and Dedham.

"In emergency cardiac care, every minute counts. With the LIFEPAK®12, our medical staff has the latest technology to provide up to the minute information on the status of a cardiac patient, which can be transmitted to the hospital prior to arrival. Essentially, with this equipment, the ambulance can provide one of the services that a hospital normally would," said Neal Costigan, Director of Clinical Operations, at Fallon Ambulance.

He added, "We are extremely pleased to be able to provide this service to our community in a possible life-threatening cardiac emergency."

Fallon Ambulance Service was founded in 1936 by James R. Fallon, Sr., and has remained a family operated business to this day. The founder’s son, James R. (Ray) Fallon, Jr., and five of his children have all played an integral role in the company’s operation and growth. Fallon Ambulance employs more than 400 personnel, and operates 115 vehicles. The company provides 9-1-1 service to Milton, Quincy, Brookline, Weymouth, Braintree and Dedham as well as primary backup to Boston and Randolph. Fallon Ambulance Service also provides medical transportation for a number of nursing homes, hospitals, and HMOs throughout Greater Boston. Headquarters are at 111 Brook Road, Quincy, MA 02169, and Fallon Ambulance operates satellite offices in Weymouth, Allston and Quincy, MA. A new state-of-the-art headquarters is slated for opening in Quincy in the Fall, 2004. Fallon Ambulance Service is a several-time recipient of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce’s “Success Profile,” and the “local heroes” award by the South Shore Community Action Council. For additional information about Fallon Ambulance services or programs that the company offers, contact Peter Racicot, Senior Vice President of Business Development, at (617) 745-2100, ext. 117 or visit www.fallonambulance.com.