Air medical journal
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Air medical journal · Sep 2013
Critical care transportation by paramedics: a cross-sectional survey.
The purpose of this study was to gather data from paramedics practicing in the critical care transport setting to guide development of the education, training, and clinical practices for certification as a critical care paramedic. ⋯ Paramedics reported being the primary provider on the critical care transport team and performing skills while using equipment and administering medications that exceeded their education and training as paramedic and, at times, without the benefit of any additional education or training. National appreciation of this reality should spur development of standardized education, licensing or certification, and continuing education to prepare paramedics for their role as critical care medical providers.
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Air medical journal · Sep 2013
Prehospital use of tranexamic acid for hemorrhagic shock in primary and secondary air medical evacuation.
Major hemorrhage remains a leading cause of death in both military and civilian trauma. We report the use of tranexamic acid (TXA) as part of a trauma exanguination/massive transfusion protocol in the management of hemorrhagic shock in a civilian primary and secondary air medical evacuation (AME) helicopter EMS program. ⋯ We report the successful integration of TXA into a primary and secondary AME program in the setting of major trauma with confirmed or suspected hemorrhagic shock. Further studies are needed to assess the effect of such a protocol in this patient population.
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Air medical journal · Sep 2013
ReviewCommercial air travel after pneumothorax: a review of the literature.
Because of the physiological stresses of commercial air travel, the presence of a pneumothorax has long been felt to be an absolute contraindication to flight. Additionally, most medical societies recommend that patients wait at least 2 weeks after radiographic resolution of the pneumothorax before they attempt to travel in a nonurgent fashion via commercial air transport. ⋯ We have made recommendations, when possible, addressing the nonurgent commercial air travel for the patient with a recent pneumothorax. However, more scientific research is necessary in order to reach an evidence-based conclusion on pneumothoraces and flying.
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Air medical journal · Jul 2013
Comparative StudyShould air medical patients be transferred on helipad or trauma bay?
Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) are widely used in regional trauma care and present unique challenges in the patient handoff process. In particular, the practice of patient handoff on the landing zone versus the trauma bay does not exist in ground emergency medical services. We hypothesized that patients handed off on the landing zone versus the trauma bay would have different patient characteristics and outcomes. ⋯ In this limited study, we found that HEMS did identify the sickest patients and brought them to the trauma bay. Despite their greater injury severity, the patients handed off in the bay fared better than those handed off on the landing zone.