Oximeter donated

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 392, 25 June 1991, Page 2

Oximeter donated

Waimarino ambulance staff will now be able to find out at an accident site what treatment should be given in the case of low blood-oxygen levels, thanks to a new piece of equipment. Waimarino Rescue Trust chairman Terry Tapp and secretary Ian Strachan handed over a new $7200 Pulse Oximeter to Waimarino Ambulance staff last Friday. The donation brings the total equipment given by the trust, available for use in ambulances as well as in the Waimarino Rescue Helicopter to $20,000 worth. Ambulance officer

Phillip Beer said until now the information about a patient had to be got from laboratory tests, carried out at base hospital, often several hours after picking a patient up. "If that patient had a respiratory problem from a car accident or illness such as asthma, it meant a long delay," he said. -"Now we are able to see straight away what treatment should be given." The unit is completely portable, • running on mains or batteries, and operates with a simple clip like a clothes peg that is placed on a finger or toe. The machine converts the light gen-

erated from the probe into an electronic signal which is displayed on a screen, giving the needed information. Other - equipment available to the ambulance staff for use in the ambulances or in the Waimarino Rescue Helicopter includes: first aid equipment, IV gear, a suction unit, - oxygen equipment, radio telephone, life pack defibrillator/monitor, back pack (with first aid, IV gear and splints etc), blanket bag, ventilator, stretchers, drug kit, bag mask kit, ropes etc, direct radio contact with hospital, telepagers for pilot and crew.