In an effort to improve patient outcome from sudden cardiac arrest, Medical Rescue Team South Authority (MRTSA), which serves the South Hills communities, including Dormont Borough, has begun employing a new LUCAS 2 mechanical CPR device.

According to paramedic Jesse Siefert, MRTSA is the second emergency medical services agency in Allegheny County to utilize the cutting-edge tool.

"The ultimate goal for any cardiac arrest patient is to restore ROSC (return of spontaneous circulation) as soon as possible," Siefert said, touting the device's "continuous chest compression" feature. (Watch the YouTube video above to see the LUCAS 2 device in action.)

MRTSA was able to purchase the $13,570 LUCAS 2 thanks to a generous grant from the Snee-Reinhardt Charitable Foundation, Siefert said.

"If today was any indication of the value of the device," Siefert said on Nov. 5, "LUCAS went on its first cardiac arrest 90 minutes after being unpacked from the delivery box."

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