Air medical journal
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Air medical journal · Sep 2016
The Effect of Prehospital Intubation on Treatment Times in Patients With Suspected Traumatic Brain Injury.
This study examines whether, in patients requiring intubation with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), prehospital intubation compared with emergency department intubation leads to a reduction in treatment times and time to a computed tomographic (CT) scan. ⋯ Patients intubated in the prehospital setting spend a longer time at the scene but a shorter amount of time in the emergency department before brain imaging. Prehospital intubation may lead to earlier control of airway and ventilation. The minority of intubated TBI patients required urgent neurosurgical intervention. Overall prehospital intubation shows no significant survival advantage for the patients when compared with emergency department intubation.
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Air medical journal · Sep 2016
Simulation-Based Training in Mountain Helicopter Emergency Medical Service: A Multidisciplinary Team Training Concept.
Mountain helicopter rescue operations often confront crews with unique challenges in which even minor errors can result in dangerous situations. Simulation training provides a promising tool to train the management of complex multidisciplinary settings, thus reducing the occurrence of fatal errors and increasing the safety for both the patient and the helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) crew. ⋯ Interprofessional simulation-based team training could have the potential to impact patient outcomes and improve rescuer safety. Simulation trainings lead to a subjective increase of self-assuredness in the management of complex situations in a difficult working environment.
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Air medical journal · Sep 2016
Observational StudyCardiopulmonary Resuscitation Quality by Helicopter Rescue Swimmers While Flying.
Our objective was to assess the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality by helicopter rescue swimmers (HRSs) while flying. ⋯ HRSs are able to perform CPR in a flying helicopter with similar quality to CPR on land. They need additional training to avoid excessive CC rates, tidal volumes, and hands-off times and to permit chest re-expansion.
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Air medical journal · May 2016
Structure of Rapid Response Car Operations in an Urban Trauma Service.
Emergency medical vehicle collisions are an inherent risk for health care providers, patients, and other road users. Air ambulance services often use rapid response cars (RRCs) to maintain operational resilience. We aim to describe the operational concept of London's Air Ambulance (LAA) RRCs and activity over a 1-year period. ⋯ Translating lessons from aviation and motorsports, LAA has developed an RRC operation concept to improve safety and operational capacity. One-year operational data indicate high activity without any serious incidents.
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Air medical journal · May 2016
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyIntubation Performance of Advanced Airway Devices in a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Setting.
This study attempts to determine if newer indirect laryngoscopes or intubating devices are superior to a standard laryngoscope for intubation success among helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) personnel. ⋯ Using HEMS providers, the Airtraq laryngoscope and the S.A.L.T. device showed the fastest and highest intubation success on the first attempt in difficult simulated HEMS airway scenarios.