Air medical journal
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Air medical journal · May 2021
Observational StudyCardiac Arrest in Flight: A Retrospective Chart Review of 92 Patients Transported by a Critical Care Air Medical Service.
The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of cardiac arrest in the air medical environment so that we can begin to understand predictors of in-flight cardiac arrest and identify opportunities to improve care. ⋯ Cardiac arrest during air medical transport is a rare event that requires a high level of critical care to treat refractory cardiac arrests, hemodynamic instability, and airway compromise.
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Air medical journal · May 2021
Determining a Need for Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Transport.
Point-of care-ultrasound (PoCUS) is useful in evaluating unstable emergency department patients. The portability of this technology increases its potential use in prehospital settings, including helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) programs. Identifying useful applications may support implementing a PoCUS program that develops sonography skills for prehospital providers. The aim of this study was to determine the HEMS patient population that would benefit from prehospital PoCUS for hypotension and how commonly the extended focused assessment with sonography in trauma (E-FAST) for trauma patients or the rapid ultrasound in shock (RUSH) for medical patients could be used by HEMS. ⋯ Fifty percent of HEMS patients may benefit from PoCUS to evaluate for hypotension in flight.