Photo courtesy of HDH

Harney Hospital Foundation Manager Elisha Miller presents a check to the Harney District Hospital (HDH) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department for the Stryker LUCAS chest-compression system. From L-R: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Kim Kautz, EMT Christina Banton, Foundation Manager Elisha Miller, and HDH EMS Department Manager Cliff Stoutenburg.

On April 22, Harney District Hospital (HDH) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department Manager Cliff Stoutenburg taught local EMS, fire, and police personnel how to use the hospital’s new Stryker LUCAS chest-compression system.

LUCAS is an acronym for Lund University Cardiac Assist System, as this automated CPR device was developed and manufactured in Lund, Sweden. The LUCAS device provides consistent and high-quality chest compressions for patients who are experiencing cardiopulmonary arrest. In addition to increasing the chances of good patient outcomes, the LUCAS device will reduce fatigue and strain on our community’s first responders and allow them to focus on other lifesaving tasks.

Spanning nearly 10,000 square miles, Harney County’s service area is bigger than some states! Members of the HDH EMS crew frequently find themselves more than 30 miles away from the hospital, on calls that often require CPR. Staff can quickly become exhausted while performing continuous chest compressions, as the ambulance makes the long trek back to the hospital, resulting in decreased effectiveness. In addition to providing the most effective, consistent positive and negative chest compressions, the LUCAS device will free up more hands so that EMS staff can focus on other tasks needed to provide the most efficient, high-quality care and transport of patients.

Harney Hospital Foundation jumpstarted fundraising for the LUCAS device by hosting a Golf Scramble in August of 2023. Special thanks to Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC) and Bank of Eastern Oregon for sponsoring this event! Harney Hospital Foundation would also like to thank everyone who came out to support this wonderful cause. (Stay tuned for information about this year’s Golf Scramble, which is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Valley Golf Club in Hines!)

Additionally, the Foundation would like to thank Ken and Polly Post as well as the numerous Friends of the Foundation whose generous contributions made purchasing the LUCAS device possible. We can’t thank you enough for helping us save lives in our community!

If you would like to become a Friend of the Foundation and help Harney District Hospital purchase other lifesaving equipment, please email Foundation Manager Elisha Miller at foundation@harneydh.com or call her at 541-573-8609. You can learn more about Harney Hospital Foundation online at harneyhospitalfoundation.org.