Monitor Defibrillators

[loulou]

My dept is looking at new monitor/defibs. We are looking at 3 major brands, Lifepak12, MRL-PIC and Zoll M-Series, if you have used any one or more of these, please let me know your experiences good and bad. The features we are considering are, 12lead, NIBP,Pulse Ox, End-Tidal CO2, and maybe Biphasic.

Thanks,

Lou,Lou

[Adler]

I haven't used any of the new ones yet, but I would highly recommend going to BiPhasic. After researching Bi-Phasic compared to Mono-Phasic...I believe that Bi-Phasic will have better results. This is only my opinion, but with the research done on Bi-Phasic compared to Mono-Phasic, it looks as if Bi is going to be a lot more effective. Good Luck....Also, for what it is worth..Zoll has been getting great reviews in Iowa. Many, Many departments in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota (career and volunteer EMS and Fire) have been switching to Zoll from Life Paks. Good Luck and Stay Safe.

[EMT79JFU]

I highly recommend the lifepak 12. our company has 2 lifepak 12s and 3 lifepak 10s. pulse ox and 12 lead are extremely helpful and the NIBP we are thinking about ordering with the new ones when we replace our old lifepak 10s.

[firefly1361]

We already have a Lifepak 12 on our medic which is going on the Life Support utility vehicle and we are getting a new Lifepak 12 with all the features that you mentioned.


Heather Helm
Station 13
Carroll Co, Maryland

[T. Faull]

Don't even think about going with monophasic. The research out there supports biphasic and indicate mono will soon be dead.We recently purchase three zoll units with all the options you have mentioned and we love them. We picked the zoll because they seemed to be ahead of the game on biphasic and the wave form is not a sharp spike which does less damage to the heart than any mono machine and other biphasic machines. I could send you the info we have if you like.

[BFD847]

I have only had the chance to use Physio- both services I work have LP12. They work very well. Very nice and complete unit. I would recomend adding all the bells and whistles when you order it. I think it is the best auto BP I have used fairly dependable as auto BP goes. Easy to carry. Very user friendly.

Have to agree with the other posts, looks like biphasic is the future.

[Bleve613]

Our service uses LP 12's. If you do decide to go with the 12 it is beneficial to get all the options your department wants when you order it. The dealer will tell you that you can add any option later but they charge you significantly more money than if you order it with all the bells & whistles. We are very happy with the LP 12's but we were disappointed when we were quoted the price to add the NIBP and Capnography options. Good luck with your research.

[mikema]

i use both LP-12's and the Zoll's,i find them both to be a good machine.as for options i would go with the LP-12's.NYCems uses the LP-12's and they have mixed feelings on them. good luck mike m :)

[TraumaDog]

We are curently in the middle of evaluating both the LifePack 12 and the Zoll M series. Here is some info that I have found.

* We broke (2) LP-12's in the first week of the first evalutations. Broken screens.

* Poor sales suport from Physio-Control, We are currently on our second rep. Excellent support from the Zoll rep., always checking by or calling to see if they could help us with anything.

I have a major problem with the LP-12's Shock sequence 200-300-360j. The problem is there is no data that I have seen to support bi-phasic shock with that much energy. Many of the other manufactors are in agreement that 200j is the max that should be used. I have written the physio-control about this, however as of this posting he has not replyed.

My sugestion to you is to do some research on bi-phasic waveforms, all are not the same. As with research on nibp, etco2 ect. see how they add up aganst the others. Employee eval. is important as well, last but not least is cost.

I know that I have written just enough to confuse the hell out you or **** the physio fans off. I am not trying to do that. This is just one mans trials. Physio has been the only product I have ever used since the LP-5, so many that I work with were suprised that I voted for the Zoll 300M.

:cool:

[ 07-16-2001: Message edited by: Trauma_Dog ]

[firemed9]

I have dealt with both Physio and Zoll.

With Physio, we have previously had a lot of trouble with serice and it took a long time to get a rep to talk to us about upgrading, service or anything for that matter. We liked the physios but ran into the same problems as everyone else, short battery life, broken screens, serious artifact, etc.

With Zoll, I have never seen or heard of any company with such great customer service and support. When we started looking, we contacted the local rep, who showed up that day at the station and talked to us about our options. We were given to to test out, and for that month, the rep was here every tuesday and friday checking on us. When we bought the two units we bought, he delivered them to us, and spent two days with us disussing with the crews all the gizmos and gadgets that it has. Everything from the 12 lead, to the modem transmitter to the memory log. When ever there was a programing problem or any type of problem, we had a loaner machine on the doorstep and the unit was fixed as fast as practicle.

As for mono or bi phasic, no contest, go biphasic. Mono phasic is dying fast, and soon that will be obsolete. Research is proving that for us.

Anyways, thats my $0.02. I hoped it helped

[911WACKER]

I strongly suggest the LP-12, Very good machine is not hard on batteries like the LP-11's and can also be used as a AED if you have the need. Only one drawback the screens break real easy, so buy one of thehard plastic screen protectors. :D