The Journal of air medical transport
-
In an attempt to determine outcome, this study reviewed the records of air medical patients undergoing prehospital cricothyrotomy (CRIC) from 1987 through 1989. The study included initial airway management, Trauma Score (TS) before and after CRIC and on arrival to the hospital, outcome, and initiator of airway--either emergency medical services (EMS) or LifeFlight air medical crew (LF). There were 68 CRIC in 3285 completed missions (2%). ⋯ Prehospital CRIC appeared safe and complications were infrequent. The CRIC, once placed, remained the airway of choice in most patients. The eventual outcome in this population suggested serious injury with the majority of patients (69%) dying.
-
The configuration of the air medical crew has been debated since the inception of hospital-based programs in the 1970s. Today, the majority of programs use non-physician crew members with a nurse/paramedic mix as the most common team. ⋯ The key to an effective air medical team, despite the configuration, is adequate training and ongoing flight experience. Unless future studies define the role of physicians on the medical team, the air medical crew configuration will be determined by each flight program based on their perception of individual needs and available resources.
-
Historical Article
Evolution of flight nursing and the National Flight Nurses Association.