MANSFIELD — The rapid advancement of medical technology was on full display Tuesday night.
Several Mansfield lawmakers got an up-close look at the Mansfield Fire Department’s newly upgraded EMS equipment during a demonstration from paramedics prior to city council’s meeting.
Some even volunteered to experience the equipment’s capabilities firsthand, including 5th Ward Councilman Aurelio Diaz, 6th Ward Councilwoman Deborah Mount, 2nd Ward Councilwoman Cheryl Meier and At-large Councilwoman Shari Robertson.
In May, City Council approved a contract to trade in and upgrade the equipment inside the city’s ambulances, plus secure an extended warranty and maintenance agreement.
The legislation included a $1.165 million contract with Stryker, a medical supply company based in Chicago, at the recommendation of Mansfield fire Chief Dan Crow.
Crow said all six of the departments ambulances are now equipped with the upgraded technology, which includes cardiac monitors, cots, load systems, CPR machines and stair chairs.
The department was fully in service with the new equipment at the beginning of July, the chief said.
“It’s a big investment,” Crow said Tuesday. “It was over $1 million worth of equipment.”
After reviewing previous replacement schedules and the cost of replacing equipment pieces one by one, a total upgrade was ultimately the decision made by city officials.
“Asking council to put that much money into equipment and capital was a big ask,” he said.
“But we were using our EMS transport funds for that. The money that we collect from insurance agencies, Medicare and Medicaid went right back into making sure that we had the best equipment that we possibly could for our citizens.”
Upgrades to benefit both paramedics and patients
The contract approved by council in May also ensures the department’s EMS equipment is well-maintained, with no additional repair or service bills, for eight years.
After that, equipment can be traded in or put on future maintenance contracts for up to 14 years.
The warranty covers annual preventative maintenance servicing, original equipment manufacturer part replacement, labor and travel expenses, battery servicing and replacement, loaners during repairs and software upgrades, Crow said previously.
Paramedics demonstrated the capabilities of the powered equipment outside of the Mansfield Municipal Building.
The powered cot is designed to prevent dropping patients, as well as reduce the risk of caregiver injury and help paramedics navigate tighter quarters.
The powered stair chair helps decrease paramedics’ efforts while transporting patients, while increasing patients’ comfort.
“It is a big technological advancement for us,” Crow said, adding the upgrades are beneficial to both paramedics and patients.
The CPR machine — known as the LUCAS — provides guidelines-consistent compressions in most working conditions, while “freeing responders to safely focus on assessment, care and transport,” according to Stryker’s website.
The cardiac monitor — named the LIFEPAK 35 — is a “clinically advanced monitor/defibrillator with proprietary tools and technology built on an intuitive, modern platform for advanced patient care.”
Crow said the LUCAS and LIFEPAK 35 work in sync with each other and are both WiFi capable.
“They’re transmitting information not only to our system, but to the hospital (too),” he said. “The hospital can actually see our EKGs from the field as we send that to them.
“It gives us, on the back end, (the ability) to pull that data and look more into quality — not just looking at if we did an EKG, but actually looking at lots of different factors around that to see if we’re actually delivering the standard that we want.”
The chief said his department, the city’s administration, patients and local hospitals all appreciate the upgrades.
“I just think it’s a win all the way around,” Crow said.
(Below is another video and more photos from Mansfield Fire Department’s EMS equipment demonstration on Tuesday night outside of the Mansfield Municipal Building.)
