Pulmonary ventilation in ambulances: increasing patient stay times, essential excellence responses

By Cristiano Antonino Last updated Apr 8, 2021

Pulmonary ventilation in an ambulance has never been more important than during this period marked by the Covid pandemic. The number of patients with respiratory diseases has increased dramatically. It has put a high strain on emergency responders and the emergency system

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on pulmonary ventilation in ambulances

The effect of the pandemic on the response practices of an ambulance crew has been twofold: on the one hand, the number of missions requiring pulmonary ventilation has increased, and on the other, the number of hours the patient spends on average in the ambulance has increased.

Yes, hours. Now it’s clear from a long time to every rescuer that the ambulance has changed its ‘skin’ and vocation in response to emergencies, transforming itself from time to time into pre-triage, temporary intensive care or an emergency bed for patients awaiting hospitalisation.

In this operational scenario, the portable ventilator in an emergency has become an essential tool for every crew, even those with non-emergency medical transports.

And it makes all the difference in terms of patient life expectancy.

Pulmonary ventilation in ambulances, the Spencer solution: the NXT and Kompak lines

Spencer, the Italian company with headquarters in Sala Baganza (Parma), offers rescuers its volumetric breathing support systems, electronically controlled, able to supply two different oxygen concentrations with a single source of medical gas, equipped with safety devices able to monitor some of the main breathing parameters.

In extra-hospital emergencies, it has become fundamental to have high standard emergency equipment, and from this point of view, Spencer represents excellence.

Spencer devices provide temporary non-invasive support to the respiratory function in patients with a minimal vital respiratory will.

These devices are destined to be permanently installed inside ambulances, in the case of the NXT series, and to be transported using their own transport bag, in the case of the pulmonary ventilators of the Kompak line.

In this way of view, the other strong point is, undoubtedly, represented by the Spencer pulmonary ventilators robustness, also with the most serious shocks.

A characteristic, the robustness, that makes them perfect for the ever-increasing number of Alpine Rescue operations.

Let’s take a look at the range of products that Spencer has dedicated to the delicate issue of patient ventilation:

NXT LINE:

SPENCER 190 NXT, ELECTRONIC PULMONARY VENTILATOR

Spencer 190 NXT is an electronic pulmonary ventilator for the non-invasive ventilation of adult and paediatric patients.

It is equipped with special protection against accidental activation of the AIR MIX selection lever.

The colour-coded manometer allows immediate identification of the pressure intervals.

The positioning of the inlet and outlet ports on the device side makes connection and disconnection easier, offering better protection to the elements connected to the device.

Adjustment knobs on a high-contrast background make it possible to identify better the set parameters.

The aluminium construction is compact and allows for considerable weight reduction. The positioning and shape of the regulation knobs make it easy to regulate the parameters in any operative condition.

Spencer 190 NXT operates with a constant I/E ratio and is equipped with alarms for ventilation monitoring and device management.

LED bar for the visualisation of the ventilatory trend.

SPENCER 170 NXT, COMPACT PULMONARY VENTILATOR

Spencer 170 NXT is an electronic pulmonary ventilator for non-invasive ventilation of adult and paediatric patients.

It is equipped with special protection against accidental activation of the AIR MIX and ON/OFF selection levers.

The colour-coded manometer allows immediate identification of the pressure intervals.

The positioning of the inlet and outlet ports on the device side makes connection and disconnection easier, offering better protection to the elements connected to the device.

The positioning and shape of the control knobs make it easy to adjust the parameters in any operating condition.

Adjustment knobs on a high-contrast background make it possible to identify better the parameters set.

The aluminium structure is compact and allows a considerable reduction in weight.

Spencer 170 NXT operates with a constant I/E ratio and is equipped with alarms for ventilation monitoring and device management.

The presence of only one ventilation mode makes it extremely simple to use.

SPENCER 118 NXT, PNEUMATIC PULMONARY VENTILATOR WITH SHOCK ABSORBENT PROTECTIVE SHELL

Spencer 118 NXT is a pulmonary ventilator with totally pneumatic functioning for non-invasive ventilation of adult and paediatric patients.

The pneumatic functioning mode allows a considerable containment of maintenance costs linked to electrical safety regulations.

It also means the total absence of risks of electrical discharges generated by the device.

Spencer 118 NXT is equipped with special protection against accidental activation of the ignition levers and activation of the AIR MIX mode.

The generously sized and colour coded vacuum gauge offers an immediate pressure visualisation in the patient circuit.

The lateral positioning of the medical gas inlet and outlet facilitates connection and disconnection as well as offering better protection for the elements connected to the device.

Adjustment knobs on a high-contrast background make it possible to identify better the parameters set.

The small aluminium structure allows a considerable reduction in weight.

The positioning and design of the control knobs facilitate the ventilation setting parameters in all operating conditions.

The non-constant I/E ratio makes ventilation management more versatile.

The presence of a single ventilation mode (controlled) makes it extremely easy to use.

It is equipped with the alarm systems required by the EN 794-3 standard.

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– KOMPAK SERIES RESUSCITATION SYSTEMS:

Spencer has dedicated a series of pulmonary ventilation products for rescuers who have to intervene in inaccessible places or far from the ambulance.

The Kompak series non-invasive ventilation systems as well as being top of the range for robustness, are also equipped with a 2 L oxygen cylinder housed together with the ventilator and the necessary accessories in an aluminium structure painted with epoxy powders.

KOMPAK 190 NXT, RESUSCITATION SYSTEM

Spencer Kompak 190 NXT is composed of an aluminium core painted with epoxy powders and a protective washable nylon cover.

The lining is divided into sections to allow easier access to the internal equipment.

Several internal pockets are provided for the positioning of accessories.

The closure of the protective cover is tear-off.

The handle on the upper side allows easy grip.

It contains a 2 L oxygen cylinder, complete with a pressure regulator, anchored with special hooks to allow secure positioning and at the same time easy and quick replacement.

All fittings for connecting the ventilator to the oxygen supply of a centralised system are also supplied.

KOMPAK 170 NXT, RESUSCITATION SYSTEM

The Spencer NXT emergency lung ventilator support allows full autonomy of the ventilator itself.

Indispensable in transport.

Spencer Kompak 170 NXT is composed of an aluminium core painted with epoxy powders and a protective washable nylon cover.

The lining is divided into sections to allow easier access to the internal equipment.

Several internal pockets are provided for the positioning of accessories.

The closure of the protective cover is tear-off.

The handle on the upper side allows easy grip.

It contains a 2 L oxygen cylinder, complete with a pressure regulator, anchored with special hooks to allow secure positioning and at the same time easy and quick replacement.

All fittings for connecting the ventilator to the oxygen supply of a centralised system are also supplied.

KOMPAK 118 NXT, PORTABLE RESUSCITATION SYSTEM

Its name is synonymous with effectiveness and timeliness, which directly recalls a precise, determined and vital action.

This minimalist design model is characterised by technology that encompasses precise, reliable and repeatable work, essential alarms and vital performance.

An imposing body suitable for the harshest conditions of use, oversized knobs and selectors to ensure robustness and resistance to the most extreme situations and exceptional system waterproofing make it an automatic ventilator ready for anything.

These features are complemented by the unfailing excellent readability of the dial, even in poor visibility conditions.

Its innovative design, compact shape and ease of movement make it the first truly portable fan.

The outer protection is made of an innovative technopolymer moulded using advanced technology, thus creating an integral shockproof system.

It can withstand any challenge and withstand accidental shocks, vibrations, external acceleration, exposure to strong magnetic fields and temperature changes.

And thanks to its precise and robust heart, it offers you the added protection of effective and reliable off-road resuscitation.

For further information on the Spencer emergency lung ventilator products, click here.

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