Company teaches kids to use defibrillators

"Anyone can save a life. That's the message Minnesota-based Medtronic is trying to send in a first of its kind program which will be used across the country. Medtronic is using one real-life case to drive their message home. Not long ago high school junior Michael Spillman was shooting basketball hoops with his friends. "He was walking after he shot his free throw and he kind of collapsed, it looked like his legs were just jell-o and he collapsed," said classmate Demetre Growette. "And next thing I know I'm in a helicopter looking at a tan ceiling," said Spillman. He had no idea what was happening" Watch the video:

North Dakota hospitals get look at new cardiac service

"A new service could help hospitals treat heart attack patients, a company says. Representatives of Medtronic, a medical equipment company, demonstrated the service at hospitals in Bismarck, North Dakota. It uses a high-speed Internet connection to transmit electrocardiograms to hospitals and catheterization labs. The hope is that it could reduce treatment time for heart attack patients. It starts with an emergency medical service member giving the electrocardiogram, which they already do. Instead of calling or faxing the information to the hospital, they can send over the Internet. From there, it can be sent to the hospital. Hospitals would need to subscribe to the service. The company would use a secured server to transmit the electrocardiogram to the hospital. The American Heart Association supports the technology. A study in Houston showed it reduced treatment time and improved the outcome for the patient. Demonstrations were provided to St. Alexius Medical Center and Medcenter One - Bismarck Tribune