LUCAS joins Pantex Fire Department
Pantex Fire Department trains on use of LUCAS chest compression devices
The Pantex Fire Department has added a new member to its ranks – LUCAS.
Who is LUCAS? It’s more of a what…
LUCAS, which stands for Lund University Cardiac Assist System, is a mechanical chest compression device now on each of the three ambulances at Pantex. LUCAS is another tool used to help increase the chance of survival in cardiac arrest patients thanks to its automated and synchronized compressions. Stryker Medical, the company that created the device, says they chose to personify the name because LUCAS is more than a piece of equipment, it’s a member of the life-saving team.
Pantex Fire Department Captain Jeremy Baker says LUCAS limits interruptions during manual chest compression, which increases the patient’s chances of survival. Data shows LUCAS increases blood flow to the brain by 60% versus manual CPR.
“LUCAS mechanically applies force to the sternum to compress the heart which helps restore blood circulation while allowing first responders the ability to render other aid,” Baker said. “Better blood circulation to the brain means the patient has a better chance of recovering without deficits.”
LUCAS also increases first responder safety. According to Baker, 30-40% of patients who regain a pulse on scene will rearrest prior to arriving at the hospital, some during transport.
“This requires Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers to be unrestrained and standing in a vehicle to perform CPR compressions,” Baker said. “We all understand the importance of being restrained when inside a vehicle. Having LUCAS allows emergency services to be seated and buckled rather than standing while providing compressions to patients.”
According to the LUCAS website, unrestrained occupants are 6.5 times more likely to be severely injured and 3.8 times more likely to be killed in the 4,500 ambulance crashes that occur each year.
Baker says 58 Pantex firefighters and paramedics are trained on how to use LUCAS devices.
“This is a big step in our continued effort to provide the highest-quality care to the patients we encounter while helping to ensure the safety of our firefighters,” Baker said.
Patients at Pantex and surrounding communities will all benefit from the new technology.
“At Pantex, we are lucky to work closely with our mutual aid partners, including Panhandle, Claude, and Washburn, just to name a few,” Baker said. “We depend on the help of our mutual aid departments as much as they depend on ours. Since we have personnel staffed and ready to respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, these partner agencies will contact us to respond when we have a faster response time or when their departments are on other calls or require additional assistance such as additional ambulances, fire apparatus, or personnel.”
Pantex Emergency Services responded to 133 EMS calls for service in 2023. Fifty-seven of those calls were mutual aid requests from neighboring communities.
“The people who live in these communities are fellow Pantexans, friends, or family members,” Baker said.
The device is set up prior to use following the American Heart Association guidelines for CPR compression rate of 100- 120 beats per minute. Baker said if performed immediately, CPR can double or triple the chance of survival. But, he added, CPR is a very labor-intensive process that quickly tires responders which can affect quality, which is a big advantage LUCAS has over traditional manual care.
“This device is a great addition to our service, but survival from cardiac arrest is dependent on a team approach based on the American Heart Association’s Chain of Survival,” Baker said. “We encourage people to stop a firefighter and ask us questions about performing CPR when you see us around plant site.”
Baker recommends finding a local CPR course to learn what to do when witnessing a victim in cardiac arrest.
“EMS is only one link in the Chain of Survival,” Baker said. “When we work together, we can improve patient outcomes.”