Virginia Beach EMS to begin Therapeutic Hypothermia in the ambulance

With the advent of portable ultrasound and other cutting edge innovations, emergency response vehicles are becoming more and more like rolling ERs every day. And starting in the spring of 2010, the Virginia Beach EMS department will be adding yet another ER treatment to their fleet.

Therapeutic hypothermia with electric chilling pads, in use for about 4 years in hospitals world-wide, has had a dramatic impact on the survival rates of cardiac arrest patients. Chilling the body to 93 degrees slows the heart rate down, lessens the immediate need for more oxygen, and preserves the organs. Now the Virginia Beach EMS will begin carrying portable chillers that will begin the treatment immediately, greatly improving odds of recovery.

Check out a video report posted on firegeezer.com that outlines the new equipment.