Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Emergency Services ambulances will now carry advanced continuous positive airway pressure devices, which can help patients with breathing problems.The CPAP is a breathing device, which improves vital signs, gas exchange, lessens the work of breathing and decreases the sense of shortness of breath in patients who have pneumonia, asthma, and congestive heart failure to name a few.“Ridgewood is one of the few communities in the State of New Jersey that has its EMT’s trained in this advanced medical care as part of the emergency medical services”, says Dr. Robert Lahita, Medical Director for Ridgewood Emergency Services. Advanced Life Support Paramedics from the hospitals could previously only provide this service.
The use of CPAP devices; administration of Narcan, a drug that can reverse the effects of an overdose; and the use of LUCAS automatic chest compression devices are among new practices authorized by the NJ Department of Heath for agencies under the auspices of a Medical Director.“The inclusion of CPAP as an additional service offered by
Ridgewood EMTs highlights our effort to provide the Highest level of care available to Ridgewood,” said EMS Captain Murray Yang. “We have also initiated the protocol for the use of Aspirin in cardiac emergencies, which was just approved by the State Department of Health for EMT’s to administer.”
For the Month of January, Director and Chief Tony Lillo reported that Ridgewood Emergency Services responded to a total of 137 requests for aid for a total of 1656 volunteer hours. There were 107 requests for Emergency Medical Services and 30 requests for Special Operations.