Air medical journal
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Air medical journal · Jan 2007
Results and recommendations from the helicopter EMS pilot safety survey 2005.
In 2005, the Pilot Safety Study Group (PSSG), consisting of members of the Association of Air Medical Services Research Committee, wrote, distributed, and analyzed a survey of helicopter pilots regarding their knowledge, attitude, and perspectives on safety in the field of air medical transport. ⋯ Although the recommendations from the PSS2005 are lacking in definite evidence for a decrease in HEMS crashes, we consider the direct input from pilots as critical in the absolute elimination of crashes in Helicopter EMS (Vision Zero). Pilots are, after all, the very ones held responsible for HEMS crashes. Based on these findings, the PSSG hopes that the HEMS community will incorporate the following recommendations into their standard practices. We recommend that all HEMS operators have annual and regular CRM training. We recommend that all HEMS pilots have annual and regular training in realistic flight simulators. Finally, we recommend that all HEMS aircraft be in possession of NVGs, and if this is not possible (eg, light pollution from a highly urbanized region or cost-benefit issues), then to have annual and regular mission-oriented nighttime training.
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Air medical journal · Jan 2007
Sidestream end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring during helicopter transport.
End-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO(2)) monitoring is standard of care for intubated patients. Sidestream technology also allows EtCO(2) monitoring in non-intubated patients. This is the first study to evaluate the feasibility of monitoring sidestream EtCO(2) on intubated and non-intubated patients during helicopter transport. ⋯ Sidestream EtCO(2) monitoring is feasible during air medical transport of both intubated and non-intubated patients. The mechanism was easy to use, and consistent numeric values and waveforms with alveolar plateaus were obtained in a large majority of readings.
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Air medical journal · Jan 2007
Medically appropriate use of helicopter EMS: the mission acceptance/triage process.
Appropriate use of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) ensures the maximum impact of a limited resource on improved health outcomes. Overtriage increases real and opportunity costs and may unjustifiably expose the program to small but inherent safety risks. The purpose of this study is to describe the mission acceptance process for an integrated, provincially based HEMS program and determine its utilization patterns. ⋯ The rate of medically appropriate missions in this system is relatively high. Prospective research is required to improve HEMS triage systems.
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Air medical journal · Jan 2007
Sleep debt and outside employment patterns in helicopter air medical staff working 24-hour shifts.
Twenty-four hour availability creates physiological and psychological challenges for air medical teams. The 24-hour shift (24H) is a common staffing pattern in the air medical community. We report sleep dept and pre-duty activity patterns for 24H medical staff members at helicopter air medical transport programs. ⋯ In the programs surveyed, 24H crewmembers completed an average duty cycle with little sleep debt and were unlikely to be sleepless prior to reporting for a shift. OE is common for 24H medical staff and some personnel report for flight duty within eight hours of leaving an OE position. As the industry considers the impact of fatigue on operational safety, shift length, on-duty rest, and outside employment will be important considerations.