Critical care nurse
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Critical care nurse · Apr 2018
Pressure Injury Development in Patients Treated by Critical Care Air Transport Teams: A Case-Control Study.
The US Air Force transports critically ill patients from all over the world, with transport times commonly ranging from 6 to 11 hours. Few outcome measures have been tracked for these patients. Traditional methods to prevent pressure injuries in civilian hospitals are often not feasible in the military transport environment. ⋯ Although the pressure injury rate of 4.9% in this cohort of patients is consistent with that reported by civilian critical care units, the rate must be interpreted with caution, because civilian study data frequently represent the entire intensive care unit length of stay. Targeted interventions for patients with increased body mass index and 2 or more critical care air transports per patient may help decrease the development of pressure injury in these patients.
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Critical care nurse · Apr 2018
Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta: A Bridge to Flight Survival.
Trauma endures as the leading cause of death worldwide, and most deaths occur in the first 24 hours after initial injury as a result of hemorrhage. Historically, about 90% of battlefield deaths occur before the injured person arrives at a theater hospital, and most are due to noncompressible hemorrhage of the torso. ⋯ This technique can be performed percutaneously or open in prehospital environments to restore hemodynamic functions and serve as a survival bridge until the patient is delivered to a treatment facility for definitive surgical hemostasis. This article describes the indications, complications, and application of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta to military and civilian aeromedical transport.
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Critical care nurse · Apr 2018
Comparative StudyReducing the Risk for Pressure Injury During Combat Evacuation.
Combat casualties undergoing aeromedical evacuation are at increased risk for pressure injuries. The risk factors pressure and shear are potentially modifiable via solutions appropriate for en route care. ⋯ The intervention strategies did not differ in prevention of pressure injuries.
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Critical care nurse · Apr 2018
Factors That Affect Pain Management in Aeromedical Evacuation: An Ethnographic Approach.
Pain management is a challenge in the transport setting, but actual factors that influence pain have not been assessed systematically. ⋯ Barriers to communication, comfort, and patient education are well known to transport nurses, but it is important to understand the overall effect they have on the management of pain. Developing solutions to address these factors should be a priority to ensure pain is adequately managed throughout transport.