Air medical journal
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Air medical journal · Jan 1999
Efficacy of 24-hour shifts: prepared or impaired? A prospective study.
The effect of duty duration on performances is unknown. In a prospective cohort study model using repeated measures, we evaluated the effect of shift length on a battery of neuropsychologic performance indicators using our flight program as the test site. ⋯ Fifteen subjects completed the testing and evaluation process. Neuropsychologic testing demonstrated that performance was not predicted by shift length, time of shift (day versus night), amount or quality of sleep before or during shift, or fatigue ratings. Age, gender, and education did not mediate shift length/test performance relationships. Uninterrupted sleep, stress ratings, and number of flights per shift modestly reduced some test scores. Predictably, repeated testings resulted in practice effects that reduced analysis power. We found that 24-hour shifts per se do not result in a cognitive decline compared with 12-hour shifts. Inconsistent sleep, number of flights, and the stressfulness of flights may have greater impact.
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Air medical journal · Jan 1999
Assessment of U.S. helicopter emergency medical services' planning and preparedness for disaster response.
Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) roles in disaster response vary significantly from routine operation, and as reported in the literature, such responses have not been without difficulty. We identified nine criteria (written policy, triage and incident command training disaster drill participation, ground and air communications plan, critical incident stress management, annual review, policy sharing) that may significantly affected an air medical program's disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Of these criteria, a written policy is considered of primary importance. ⋯ Most U.S. HEMS programs have not fully addressed disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. HEMS disaster response guidelines should be established, and these criteria should be incorporated.