Bringing the most advanced medical technology to some of the most remote communities and residences also comes with a high price tag.
For Mike Alt, training officer for Pendleton County Emergency Rescue, while meeting those rising costs is challenging, bringing the best possible care to patients remains the mission of the service.
This month, PCER is installing next-generation mobile patient monitors in its fleet. As Alt explains, Pendleton County will be the first to have them both installed and fully functional, ready to serve the public.
These will replace the current monitor devices in use in all PCER ambulances.
“These monitors have more upgraded features,” explained Alt. These include better accuracy in measuring cardiac rhythms, gaining patient diagnoses “in a better and timelier manner,” and also the ability to communicate via Starlink to doctors in Morgantown who can offer real-time guidance.
Additionally, it provides more information to help personnel treat a patient suffering from sepsis.
Rural ambulance services have to operate differently than urban, with the time of the trip to the hospital an important factor. Having more accurate readings and access to a doctor provides a vital advantage during “a one hour or one-and-a-half-hour transport to the hospital.”
“Patients will get better treatment” with personnel aided by the devices, said Alt.
A practical design upgrade came in the form of color-coded tabs to help personnel quickly identify the different functions of the monitor, helping considerably in situations where seconds matter. Alt pointed out that the left side tab had “Subway” colors while the right had the brand colors for Domino’s Pizza.
He then explained that unlike some ambulance services, PCER always updated its equipment according to [Move ‘United States Food and Drug Administration’ to the first instance where ‘FDA’ appears, then use ‘FDA’ on subsequent references.] recommendations. For example, mobile patient monitors have an official life expectancy of seven years. Some companies will purchase old equipment, refurbish it, and sell it as new to unsuspecting agencies at a cut-rate price, but even with the rising cost of equipment, Alt stated that PCER would never entertain that option.
“I look at liability,” said Alt. “You assume the liability after seven years” on the performance of the device.
As with the fire service, acquiring new and needed equipment at the best possible price often comes with a bit of creativity. Alt explained that PCER purchased the new devices [Verify: should this read ‘prior to FDA price increase’ or ‘ahead of FDA list-price changes’? Reconcile with preceding paragraph.]. This allowed them to save about $20,000 apiece on the six new devices that now cost $75,000 each. The company also provided zero percent financing.
With the devices coming from a respected manufacturer, there was little doubt on their approval.
All devices were installed by the end of last week.
