Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services have implemented a new system to better assist cardiac arrest patients. (Photo: S Jones | Lethbridge News Now on January 11, 2023)

By Sarah Jones

Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services changing the standard for cardiac arrest response

Jan 11, 2023 | 12:44 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A new software used by first responders is having a life-changing effect on local cardiac arrest patients.

In 2020, the Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES) purchased a new cardiac monitoring system that included a software called CaseReview.

The new system allowed first responders to record and play back serious events such as a cardiac event, and by using CaseReview, staff can look at both patient and provider trends to create medical guidelines.

Since implementation, staff at the Lethbridge Fire Hall regularly review the outcomes tracked on the monitor and assess each situation to ensure the best outcomes in the future.

Mike Humphrey, EMS Operations Officer with LFES said, “We were able to replay a call with our team this morning and we identified a couple areas.”

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“They overall did a really good job. We identified a couple areas where they could improve and so if they get this similar call in an hour, or tomorrow, or whenever, they’re going to be able to implement those lessons learned right away,” he added.

According to LFES, more than 90 per cent of local cardiac arrest patients who are resuscitated by LFES are now arriving at the hospital with a pulse.

Prior to CaseReview, just 50 per cent of patients arrived with a pulse.

Staff at the Lethbridge Fire Hall reviewing a recent call through the CaseReview software. (Photo: S Jones | Lethbridge News Now on January 11, 2023)

“One of the trends we saw when using this technology is that when we successfully resuscitate somebody from cardiac arrest, about 50 per cent of the time that patient will have a low blood pressure, and if they have a low blood pressure, they’re at a high, high risk of having another cardiac arrest,” explained Humphrey.

He continued, “What we’re able to do working with Alberta Health Services and our Medical Director, is we are able to take a treatment that is usually typically reserved for the ICU and the ER; and bring it right to first responders and we’re able to deliver that to the patient and stabilize their blood pressure, avoiding that second cardiac arrest.”

Another trend identified during real-time playback at an incident revealed that Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) was sometimes stopped for a short period of time for other treatments, like starting an IV.

After identifying and reviewing those pauses, crews have changed their processes to ensure CPR is never stopped, for any reason.

Humphrey explained that while officials in Lethbridge respond to about 90 cardiac arrests a year, LFES remains one of the only places in Alberta currently using this new software.

In 2022, LFES presented their finding and results from this software at several industry conferences including, the Paramedicine Across Canada Expo in Saskatoon.

Alberta Health Services is currently looking to make this a treatment throughout the province.

READ MORE: LethbridgeNewsNow