Key Takeaways
- C‑Booth Innovations’ EXG simplifies traditional EKG technology into a single‑patch, single‑cable system that can be applied in seconds.
- The device dramatically reduces the chance of lead misplacement, a common source of diagnostic error in emergency medical services.
- Preston’s Community Ambulance Service has already used the EXG ten times in its first month, reporting deployment times cut from three minutes to roughly thirty seconds.
- The EXG remains adhered during CPR and trauma scenarios, eliminating the problem of wires falling off or becoming tangled.
- Leaders hope the technology will be adopted by regional hospitals to streamline patient hand‑off and improve cardiac care across the region.
Introduction and Background
Preston, Iowa’s Community Ambulance Service is pioneering a shift in how emergency responders acquire electrocardiogram (EKG) data, a practice that has remained largely unchanged for the past half‑century. For decades, first responders have relied on multi‑lead EKG machines that require several adhesive patches and a tangle of cables to capture the heart’s electrical activity. While these systems are reliable, their complexity can introduce delays and errors, especially in high‑stress, time‑critical situations. Recognizing these limitations, local EMS leaders partnered with C‑Booth Innovations to evaluate a new, streamlined approach that promises to improve both speed and accuracy of cardiac assessments in the field.
Overview of the EXG System
The core of this innovation is the EXG (Extended‑Lead‑Generic) device, a product developed by C‑Booth Innovations that condenses conventional EKG technology into a single adhesive patch and one connecting cable. Unlike traditional setups that may involve five to twelve leads, the EXG captures the necessary cardiac information through a simplified electrode array integrated into the patch. This design not only reduces the amount of hardware that must be managed but also minimizes the preparation time required before a reading can be obtained. The device is lightweight, disposable after use, and compatible with standard EKG monitors already in service on most ambulances.
Ease of Use and Design Features
Stephen Dunphy, co‑founder of C‑Booth Innovations, emphasizes that the EXG’s usability is its standout feature. Applying the system requires only placing the single patch on the patient’s chest and snapping the cable into the monitor—a process that can be completed in a matter of seconds. “It’s almost impossible to get these lead transpositions wrong because it just goes on that quickly,” Dunphy notes. The intuitive nature of the EXG means that EMTs with varying levels of experience can achieve consistent lead placement without extensive retraining, thereby reducing variability that often stems from manual lead positioning.
Impact on Error Reduction
Lead misplacement is a well‑documented source of diagnostic error in pre‑hospital EKGs; even a shift of a few centimeters can obscure critical signs of myocardial infarction or arrhythmia. Bryson Bormann, director of Preston’s Community Ambulance Service, highlights how the EXG mitigates this risk. “Just centimeters off any particular patch can hide a heart attack,” he explains. With the EXG’s single‑patch configuration, there is little opportunity for leads to be crossed, twisted, or incorrectly positioned, making the resultant tracings far more reliable. This reduction in procedural error translates directly into better clinical decision‑making during the crucial minutes following a cardiac event.
Clinical Benefits and Time Savings
Time is a critical factor in cardiac care, a concept encapsulated by Bormann’s reminder that “the heart is a muscle basically, and time is tissue.” The traditional EKG setup on Preston’s ambulances required approximately three minutes to apply, verify, and obtain a readable trace. In contrast, the EXG can be deployed in roughly thirty seconds—a ninety percent reduction in preparation time. For a service whose nearest catheterization laboratory is now in Dubuously located in Dubuque or Davenport, entailing a fifteen‑minute transport window, every second saved on scene can increase the likelihood of timely reperfusion therapy and improve patient outcomes.
Field Experience in Preston
Since acquiring the EXG, Preston’s Community Ambulance Service has employed the device ten times within its first month of use. Bormann reports that the crew has found the system “pretty self‑explanatory” and notes a marked decrease in the troubleshooting previously associated with tangled or detached leads. The simplicity of “clip in, fasten down, and done” has allowed EMTs to focus more on patient assessment and less on equipment management. This early adoption has provided valuable real‑world feedback that underscores the EXG’s practicality in routine emergency calls.
Compatibility with CPR and Trauma Situations
One of the persistent challenges with conventional EKG leads is their vulnerability to dislodgement during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or when clinicians must rapidly remove clothing to assess trauma. The EXG addresses this issue by remaining firmly adhered to the patient’s skin throughout compressions and movement, allowing continuous monitoring without interruption. Bormann notes that the old wires would often “fall off and twist,” requiring rescuers to pause care to re‑establish connections. With the EXG, such interruptions are eliminated, ensuring that cardiac rhythm information remains available even during the most chaotic phases of resuscitation.
Potential for Wider Adoption
Encouraged by the positive results in Preston, Bormann envisions broader implementation of the EXG across the region’s healthcare spectrum. He hopes that area hospitals will eventually integrate the device into their emergency departments and cardiac care units, streamlining the hand‑off process when patients arrive via ambulance. Uniform EKG acquisition from pre‑hospital to inpatient settings could reduce redundant lead placement, minimize procedural delays, and foster a more cohesive approach to diagnosing and treating acute coronary syndromes.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The introduction of C‑Booth Innovations’ EXG represents a meaningful evolution in emergency cardiac monitoring. By simplifying lead application, cutting deployment time from minutes to seconds, and enhancing reliability during high‑acuity interventions, the device addresses longstanding pain points faced by EMS providers. Preston’s Community Ambulance Service’s early experience demonstrates tangible benefits in workflow efficiency and diagnostic confidence. As more agencies evaluate and adopt this technology, the potential for improved timeliness and accuracy of cardiac care grows, promising better outcomes for patients experiencing heart‑related emergencies across the Midwest and beyond.