×

Now Playing
107.7 The Island - Real Music Variety

Life-Saving Technology Will Help Confront COVID-19 Cardiac Threat Thanks to Charitable Trust Grant

By News May 20, 2020 | 3:22 PM

KEARNEY, Neb. – A $4.7 million dollar grant will help to save the lives of COVID-19 patients – and protect the frontline health care workers caring for them.

CHI Health Good Samaritan received six LUCAS® mechanical chest compression devices from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust grant. The devices, which deliver consistent, reliable and uninterrupted chest compressions, replaced older models found in the hospital’s AirCare medical helicopter and ambulances. Devices were also deployed to additional areas of Good Samaritan and Richard Young Behavioral Health.

In total, 31 devices were provided to CHI Health hospitals across Nebraska including St. Francis in Grand Island.

“Research has shown that cardiac damage occurs in as many as 1 in 5 COVID-19 patients. This leads to heart failure and death, even among those who show no signs of respiratory distress,” said Luke Ballmer, AirCare flight manager.

Mechanical CPR has been adopted by emergency medical responders and many hospitals around the globe. Multiple studies show equivalence to high-performance CPR, as well as increased provider safety and higher rates of adequate compressions for patients in transport situations.

“It’s vital, particularly when working with contagious patients, to prevent exposing both patients and health care workers to greater risk. It’s not only a life-saver for the patients but for the first responder, doctors, nurses and others,” Ballmer said.

“This grant is one of the many examples of bringing support to the community that Good Samaritan has lovingly served since 1924. This generous funding shows how technology and human compassion come together to save lives,”said Michael Schnieders, president, Good Samaritan.

The Helmsley Charitable Trust is partnered with medical facilities to ensure the devices were in place before the peak of COVID-19 hits. The devices will remain in place after the pandemic as part of the hospitals’ cardiac system of care.