Air medical journal
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Air medical journal · Oct 2000
Comparative StudyPrehospital blood transfusion versus crystalloid alone in the air medical transport of trauma patients.
Differences in prehospital resuscitation measures and outcomes of trauma patients transported by two air medical programs were assessed comparing the prehospital administration of crystalloid only (Group A) with the administration of 2 liters of crystalloid followed by blood (Group B). ⋯ Patients with lengthy flight times, despite the administration of blood products, presented to the trauma center more acidotic than trauma patients receiving only crystalloid. The true impact of blood products on outcome could not be demonstrated because of statistical differences in flight times between the groups. A multicenter study matching flight times, head injury status, and flight type of assess benefit of prehospital utilization of blood products is warranted.
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Air medical journal · Oct 2000
Delay in ED arrival resulting from a remote helipad at a trauma center.
Ground transport from a remote helipad at a trauma center may delay patient arrival in the ED and affect patient morbidity and mortality. Prehospital care providers must be aware of the magnitude of any delay when selecting the most expedient means of transport for trauma patients. This study quantifies the time required for a 0.6-mile ground transport from a remote trauma center helipad to an ED through two traffic signals along one city street. ⋯ The need for ground ambulance transport from this remotely located trauma center helipad adds more than 5 minutes to total prehospital time. This delay in ED arrival may be significant for some patients and should be taken into account when selecting the most appropriate mechanism of patient transport and planning helipad construction.
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Effective crew resource management (CRM) may play a major role in decreasing the number of accidents and increasing overall safety of air medical programs. The purpose of the study was to compare the responses of crew members, in a variety of situations, who received CRM training and those who did not. The numerical results of the responses were used to evaluate the effectiveness of CRM in increasing crew awareness and promoting team concepts. ⋯ Based on the results, CRM training increases crew awareness and promotes team concepts in both everyday and emergent situations.
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Air medical journal · Oct 2000
Confusing extrication with immobilization: the inappropriate use of hard spine boards for interhospital transfers.
To determine if air medical interhospital transport of patients with spinal injuries is done with techniques that minimize ischemic skin damage. ⋯ Air medical services often transport patients several hours after injury. Patients, particularly those unable to move because of their injuries, medication, or paralysis, are at risk for ischemic necroses of their skin. Decubitus ulcers are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and preventing ulcers requires a very soft, conforming surface. Despite these facts, the highly select services surveyed continue to use hard, slippery boards designed for extrication at trauma scenes to immobilize patients for transport.