Air medical journal
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Air medical journal · Aug 1994
Comparative StudyIs oral endotracheal intubation efficacy impaired in the helicopter environment?
Patients transported by helicopter often require advanced airway management. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not the in-flight environment of air medical transport in a BO-105 helicopter impairs the ability of flight nurses to perform oral endotracheal intubation. ⋯ Oral endotracheal intubation in the in-flight setting of the BO-105 helicopter takes approximately twice as long as intubation in a ground setting. The results support pre-flight intubation of patients who appear likely to require urgent intubation during air medical transport in the BO-105 helicopter.
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With pending changes in the health-care system, there are increasing pressures for each aspect of health care to justify its use. Several organizations, including the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS), have published position papers listing appropriate indications for air medical services. Additionally, the Commission on Accreditation of Air Medical Services (CAAMS) specifies that air medical services monitor their flights for appropriateness. The purpose of this study was to determine how often the air medical transports by this program met at least one of the AAMS criteria. ⋯ The AAMS "Appropriate Use of Air Medical Services" position paper provides a foundation to monitor the utilization of an air medical transport program, which can be used to meet both government payer requirements for justification and the CAAMS requirement for utilization review.