Medical instrumentation
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Monitoring the critically injured patient is imperative, to assure adequate resuscitation from shock. Unfortunately, the commonly monitored variables correlate poorly with ultimate survival. As a result, therapy is inappropriately focused. ⋯ The pertinent devices are easy to use, portable, and accurate. Knowledge of their technical and physiologic limitations is needed to assure reliability. Their potential role extends beyond the intensive care unit setting, such as with prolonged radiologic evaluation or difficult transportation.
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Airway management in resuscitation of the traumatized patient is a complex and challenging area for the health care provider and the medical engineer involved in the improvement of airway management instrumentation. Surgical and nonsurgical airway management is discussed, with emphasis placed on the instrumentation available and its appropriate uses and limitations. Suggestions for areas requiring new innovations are included.