Air medical journal
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Air medical journal · Jul 2015
Interhospital Transfer Center Model: Components, Themes, and Design Elements.
Timely access to advanced and specialist treatment often requires rapid interhospital transfer of patients from community hospitals to tertiary care centers. Transfer systems are variable in structure and process and are described in the literature as being fragmented, complex, and difficult to navigate. ⋯ The Interhospital Transfer Center Model provides a useful framework to guide the design, implementation, and evaluation of interhospital transfer systems.
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Air medical journal · Jul 2015
Comparative StudyComparison of a Padded Patient Litter and Long Spine Board for Spinal Immobilization in Air Medical Transport.
The long spinal board is the immobilization standard during prehospital transport. The flat surface of the board increases the pressure placed on both the thoracic kyphosis and the sacrum and increases the risk for pressure ulcers. This study compared patient stability and comfort between a padded litter system used in air medical transport and the long spine board. ⋯ The padded litter did not immobilize as tightly as the long board although the effect of the differences was small.
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Air medical journal · Jul 2015
The Need for a UK Helicopter Emergency Medical Service by Night: A Prospective, Simulation Study.
Major trauma commonly occurs at night. Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) can provide advanced prehospital care to victims of major trauma but do not routinely operate at night in the United Kingdom. We sought to prospectively examine the need for a night HEMS service in Kent, Surrey, and Sussex in the United Kingdom. ⋯ This study justifies the need for Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust to operate a service at night for a trial period, with an estimated average mission load of 1 per night spread over the entire night period. Further research is warranted to determine the potential impact of a night HEMS service on outcome from major trauma.