New ED equipment aids with CPR administration, in memory of local man James Pyche

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New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Friday, April 5, 2024

The Aberdeen Health Foundation has funded the purchase of a LUCAS 3 Chest Compression System. The equipment will be used in the Emergency Department (ED) to deliver continuous chest compressions during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to free the hospital care team to perform other critical duties as required.

Photo caption: The Aberdeen Health Foundation has purchased a LUCAS 3 Chest Compression System in memory of James Pyche. Pictured with the equipment from left to right are Dr. Deborah Straub, ED Physician, Hollie Cameron O’Laney, Health Services Manager ED, James’s brother Lucas and mother Rhonda, Amelia MacKenzie, Clinical Practice Lead ED and Laurie McKinnon, Clinical Resource Nurse ED.

The equipment is dedicated in memory of 37-year-old Trenton man James Pyche, who sadly passed away last year after an accident that required the ED team to provide sustained CPR. Though the team performed as expected, the situation made them realize this equipment could be beneficial for the future.

“Typically when we administer CPR, it requires one member of the care team to be performing regular chest compressions and another poised to take over,” says ED Manager Hollie Cameron O’Laney. “With this purchase, the device will provide consistent, effective compressions, freeing staff hands and eliminating interruptions.”

The equipment, says Cameron O’Laney, has been in use several times since it arrived at the end of November 2023. “Effective CPR consumes a lot of time and resources and is physically tiring to perform. The staff have been very engaged in training, and though we may not use the LUCAS every time CPR needs to be performed, we’re grateful to have this as an available resource should extended CPR be needed.”

“James was known to help others and now he will continue doing that,” adds James’s mother, Rhonda Pyche. “He was everyone’s go-to guy, a big, friendly giant. And the fact that the machine is called ‘LUCAS’ when James’s brother’s name is Lucas, to us it was such a fitting way for James to be remembered.”

The Aberdeen Health Foundation is the leading charity for enhancing health care in Pictou County. In 2023 the Foundation invested over $2 million to fund medical equipment and enhance health programs at the Aberdeen Hospital and in our community.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michelle Ferris
Executive Director
Aberdeen Health Foundation

902-752-7600 ext. 4442
Michelle.Ferris@nshealth.ca