Southern medical journal
-
Growth and maturation in the delivery of prehospital emergency medical care has been dramatic in the past 15 years. The increased availability and use of emergency medical services (EMS) has led to more frequent interactions between providers of prehospital care and the medical practitioner. ⋯ Also presented are the basics of emergency scene and victim stabilization. Physicians can help improve prehospital care by becoming familiar with local EMS capabilities and personnel.
-
We have described a patient in whom tracheal rupture occurred during prolonged mechanical ventilation. Appropriate intensive respiratory care management, including the use of the minimal leak technique, was used. Our patient unfortunately had nearly every known predisposing factor for tracheal damage.