Northwest Airlines Completes Installation Of Defibrillators
Northwest Airlines
Completes Installation Of Defibrillators
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MINNEAPOLIS -- (Jan.
4) -- Northwest Airlines today announced it has completed its year-long
program of equipping its fleet of more than 400 aircraft with LIFEPAK®
500 automated external defibrillators (AED) and BiologTM 3000 electrocardiograph
(ECG) monitors supplied by Medtronic Physio-Control.
In addition, the airline equipped
its aircraft with new, expanded medical kits containing supplies and medication
for emergency treatment of heart failure, breathing difficulties, seizures
and other medical emergencies. The kits will supplement the expert medical
advice from Mayo Clinic personnel available to Northwest aircraft via an
air-to-ground phone connection. Northwest flight attendants are trained to operate the
AED units, and in cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid procedures. "We're pleased to offer these important
life-saving devices in partnership with Medtronic, the world's leading
medical technology company," said Richard Anderson, Northwest Airlines
executive vice president and chief operating officer. "Safety is our number
one priority for our customers and our employees." |
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Cardiovascular disease is the
leading cause of death worldwide, claiming more than 15 million lives annually,
with sudden cardiac arrest killing one million people a year. Early recognition
and prompt treatment with a defibrillator can save thousands of lives every
year. Northwest is also installing
the AED units in its employee facilities and plans training in their use
for 10 to 15 percent of its employees in conjunction with CPR training.
The LIFEPAK® 500, which weighs
just seven pounds, is an easy to use, portable AED unit designed for non-medical
personnel to provide life-saving treatment to victims of sudden cardiac
arrest in the critical period immediately following a heart attack. The BiologTM 3000 ECG monitor
is a hand-held unit capable of recording a diagnostic-quality 12-lead ECG
used to diagnose or rule out a heart attack in progress. The unit will
assist medical personnel, who may be available on the aircraft, in determining
which, if any, drugs may be necessary to assist the passenger, or if more
immediate medical attention is required.
"We have equipped our aircraft
with the best combination of medical tools," said Dr. David Zanick, Northwest
Airlines medical director. "Our long-standing relationship with Mayo Clinic
personnel via direct air-to-ground phone connections has always provided
a source of expert medical advice, which is now enhanced with an AED, the
ECG monitor and the expanded medical kit." Northwest aircraft around the
world have 24-hour, seven day-a-week phone access to Mayo Clinic personnel
for advice when passengers experience medical problems during flight.
