Air medical journal
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Air medical journal · Apr 1996
Integrating emergency medicine residents into a well-established helicopter program.
The institution of an emergency medicine residency in a university-affiliated Level 1 trauma center in July 1993 provided a challenge to develop a curriculum and on-line learning experience for emergency medicine residents in a well-established helicopter program. The purpose of this study was to survey flight crew members, emergency medicine at tending physicians, and emergency medicine residents on the anticipated roles and educational experience of integrating the emergency medicine residents from a new emergency medicine residency into the flight crew of a well-established helicopter program. ⋯ The results of this study allowed for the creation and implementation of a progressive flight experience for EM residents that incorporates increasing responsibility on the flight crew as experience is gained.
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Air medical journal · Apr 1996
Comparative StudyCabin configuration and prolonged oral endotracheal intubation in the AS365N2 Dauphin EMS helicopter.
Most patients transported by air who require endotracheal intubation undergo endotracheal intubation before transport. However, in-flight endotracheal intubation may be indicated in the setting of certain scene conditions, in-flight patient deterioration, or endotracheal tube dislodgement. A previous report of high endotracheal intubation efficacy in the BK-117 in-flight recommended that flight programs review endotracheal intubation capabilities in their own aircraft. This study was conducted to determine whether in-aircraft endotracheal intubation times in the AS365N2 Dauphin were comparable to those previously reported for the BK-117. ⋯ In-aircraft intubation is significantly more time-consuming in the Dauphin than in the BK-117. This prolongation of intubation appears to be due to problems with positioning of the air medical crew and patient.
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Air medical journal · Jan 1996
One-way neonatal transports: a new approach to increase effective utilization of air medical resources.
High-risk neonates often require significant stabilization and preparation time for transport. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the institution of a formal neonatal transport policy would increase the effective utilization of air medical resources and to determine whether such a policy would be useful to other air medical transport programs. ⋯ The neonatal team transport policy has increased the effective utilization of air medical resources in this program. This policy could have wider application for other programs as well.
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Air medical journal · Jan 1996
Comparative StudyA comparison of pediatric and adult trauma patients transported by helicopter and ground EMS: managed-care considerations.
There is a paucity of data comparing injured pediatric patients transported by helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) with patients transported by ground ambulance. The purpose of this study was to compare HEMS pediatric trauma patients to: 1) pediatric patients transported by ground to an urban level-1 trauma center (TC), and; 2) a similar cohort of adult patients. The managed-care consequences of these comparisons are highlighted. ⋯ Pediatric patients transported by HEMS were as severely injured as those transported by ground, in contrast to adult patients. We conjecture that since trauma triage schemes classically focus on adults, ground personnel are more selective about which patients are flown to a TC, and less selective for pediatric patients. Trauma centers and HEMS programs should develop pediatric trauma triage protocols that do not overemphasize physiologic parameters.
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Air medical journal · Oct 1995
The effectiveness of esophageal stethoscopy in a simulated in-flight setting.
Previous research has confirmed the inability of flight nurses in an airborne BO-105 helicopter to hear breath sounds using normal or amplified transthoracic stethoscopy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether esophageal stethoscopy enabled effective auscultation of breath sounds in a simulated in-flight environment. ⋯ In the simulated environment tested, esophageal stethoscopy enabled 100% accuracy in identification of breath sounds, as compared with previously reported 0% efficacy for standard transthoracic auscultation. Study in the actual patient-care environment is indicated to confirm the usefulness of esophageal stethoscopy in the in-flight setting.