WSPR Szczecin, Largest Polish EMS Agency Adds ZOLL’s Integrated Automated Compression-Defibrillation System

ZOLL Medical Corporation (Nasdaq GS: ZOLL), a manufacturer of medical devices and related software solutions, announced today that Wojewódzka Stacja Pogotowia Ratunkowego Szczecin (WSPR Szczecin), the largest emergency service operator in Poland, is equipping its ambulances with a revolutionary new system that allows rescuers to defibrillate without stopping chest compressions for defibrillation. WSPR Szczecin purchased 49 ZOLL AutoPulse® Plus systems and has also started a program to upgrade to the new ZOLL E Series® Monitor/Defibrillator from their current ZOLL M Series® models.

The E Series connects directly to ZOLL AutoPulse Plus. This provides real-time integrated operation of the AutoPulse Plus and the E Series and allows consistent, uninterrupted chest compressions with timed shock delivery. Integrating these two therapeutic interventions into a seamless rescue effort has long been viewed as critical to advancing resuscitation care. Stopping chest compressions during defibrillation results in a rapid fall in coronary perfusion pressure. This feature is not yet available for sale and distribution in the U.S. as it requires FDA 510(k) review and clearance.

According to Roman Palka, Director of WSPR Szczecin, the AutoPulse was selected after a 12-month trial over another automated chest compression device because of the users’ positive experiences. The load-distributed chest compressions reduced chest injuries and the AutoPulse enables the transport of patients without the need to stop CPR.

"A rescue is not a place for compromise, and our main goals are the delivery of high-quality, effective services and improving outcomes from sudden cardiac arrest. This integrated approach demonstrates that we have the ability to maximize the likelihood of shock success and minimize no flow time,” Palka said.

He explained further that the Autopulse Plus solves the problem of performing effective CPR in the back of an ambulance with only two medics on board. "When we had to reduce ambulance staff from three to two people, we needed to look for new solutions that allowed us to maintain a high quality of rescue service, despite fewer human resources.”

"Without the AutoPulse, CPR is extremely exhausting, and calling for help from a second EMS team requires time and money,” he said. "Another important advantage of the AutoPulse is the opportunity to simultaneously transport patients to the cath lab during CPR, which was not possible with manual CPR. All of our teams that use the AutoPulse cannot imagine their everyday job without having the device available.”

By monitoring vital signs such as SpO₂, BP, and EtCO₂, WSPR Szczecin observed much more effective CPR with the AutoPulse than was achievable with manual compressions. "Our rescuers experienced a significant increase in safety while treating patients. They could attend to other life-saving procedures and had the ability to analyze a patient’s condition without experiencing the fatigue resulting from performing chest compressions,” Palka said.

About the Automated Compression-Defibrillation System

Like the AutoPulse, the AutoPulse Plus helps provide the consistent, uninterrupted chest compressions called for by the European Resuscitation Council Guidelines. It is an automated, portable device with an easy-to-use, load-distributing LifeBand^® that squeezes the entire chest, improving blood flow to the heart and brain during sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

It may offer a significant advantage over manual CPR, moving blood more consistently e.g., with few interruptions, than human providers. Additionally, it offers the benefit of freeing up rescuers to focus on other life-saving interventions and keeps both patients and rescuers safe in the back of a moving ambulance.

The E Series was designed by EMS professionals to meet the specific demands and extreme conditions that professional rescuers face every day. Like all other ZOLL defibrillators, the E Series provides Real CPR Help^®, which improves CPR quality by providing real-time feedback on the depth and rate of chest compressions. The E Series also offers an easy-to-use, wireless 12-lead transmission feature.

About Sudden Cardiac Arrest

SCA, an abrupt disruption of the heart’s function, which causes a lack of blood flow to vital organs, claims more than 1 million lives globally each year. It is the leading cause of unexpected death in the world and strikes without warning. Survival is poor at less than eight percent, but improvements in resuscitation practices could save as many as half of these victims.

About WSPR Szczecin

WSPR Szczecin, based in northwest Poland, serves the Baltic maritime city of Szczecin and 16 districts with an operation of 74 ambulances and rescue teams. The harbor city’s location, on a river estuary with several bridges, results in traffic bottlenecks and creates a challenge for EMS transport. During the first 10 months of 2011, WSPR Szczecin responded to 106,698 medical interventions, 1,137 of which involved sudden cardiac arrest.

About ZOLL Medical Corporation

ZOLL Medical Corporation develops and markets medical devices and software solutions that help advance emergency care and save lives, while increasing clinical and operational efficiencies. With products for defibrillation and monitoring, circulation and CPR feedback, data management, fluid resuscitation, and therapeutic temperature management, ZOLL provides a comprehensive set of technologies that help clinicians, EMS and fire professionals, and lay rescuers treat victims needing resuscitation and critical care.

A NASDAQ Global Select company and a Forbes 100 Most Trustworthy Company in 2007, 2008, and 2009, ZOLL was designated in 2011 as one of Forbes Top 100 Small Public Companies in America with annual revenues under $1 billion. ZOLL develops and manufactures its products in the United States, in California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. More than 400 direct sales and service representatives, 1,100 business partners, and 200 independent representatives serve our customers in over 140 countries around the globe. For more information, visit www.zoll.com.

Certain statements contained in this press release, including statements regarding the anticipated development of the Company's business, and other statements contained herein regarding matters that are not historical facts, are "forward-looking” statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors” in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on November 23, 2011, and any subsequent filings. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this press release, and the Company disavows any obligation to update or supplement those statements in the event of any changes in the facts, circumstances, or expectations that underlie those statements.

Copyright © 2011 ZOLL Medical Corporation. All rights reserved. AutoPulse, E Series, LifeBand, M Series, Real CPR Help, See-Thru CPR, and ZOLL are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of ZOLL Medical Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.