Cardiac Monitors
Supplying EMS with Life-Saving Equipment
When responding to 911 calls, one of the first pieces of equipment Hennepin Healthcare paramedics use are cardiac monitors. Receiving over 90,000 calls in 2022, paramedics use these crucial tools at every response to record patient heart rhythms, blood pressure, and oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.
Because of their constant use, cardiac monitors in some Hennepin Healthcare EMS vehicles have reached their end-of-life and require replacement.
Philanthropic Goal: $419,496
There is also a need to add cardiac monitors to medical director vehicles to respond to critical cases. When the 911 system is overwhelmed, medical directors respond to emergencies, but they are not in ambulances and therefore do not have access to cardiac monitors at the call site. When responding to a 911 call, minutes matter. If added, medical directors can use the monitors to determine what type of care the patient requires and the level of severity, even before the ambulance is on the scene.
Meeting the Community "Where You Are"
Cardiac monitors also support the growing demand of Hennepin Healthcare’s community paramedic program. These paramedics provides care “where you are." Individuals may need assistance with managing a chronic illness, a wound or medication, all of which can be easily handled outside of the ED. Community paramedics, sometimes along with a doctor or physician assistant, can care for these patients from the comfort of their home or current residence. Assessing key details about a patient’s health during a standard home visit with a cardiac monitor can help community paramedics determine appropriate follow-up care and alert them if a higher level of care is needed.
