Air Medical Journal RSS feed: Current Issue. Air Medical Journal is the official journal of the five leading air medical transport associations in the United States. AMJ is the premier provider of information for the medical transport industry, addressing the unique concerns of medical transport physicians, nurses, pilots, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, communication specialists, and program administrators. The journal contains practical how-to articles, debates on controversial industry issues, legislative updates, case studies, and peer-reviewed original research articles covering all aspects of the medical transport profession.http://www.airmedicaljournal.com/?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Air Medical Journal1067-991X281January 2009 © 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.airmedicaljournal.com/article/PIIS1067991X08002794/abstract?rss=yesTable of Contents10.1016/S1067-991X(08)00279-4Air Medical Journal 28, 1 (2009)2009-01-01Air Medical Journal2009-01-01281S1067-991X(08)X0007-022http://www.airmedicaljournal.com/article/PIIS1067991X08002782/abstract?rss=yesJacqueline C. Stocking, RN, MSN, MBA, CMTE, CEN, CFRN, FP-C, NREMT-P, Editor Air Methods CorporationEditorial Board10.1016/S1067-991X(08)00278-2Air Medical Journal 28, 1 (2009)2009-01-01Air Medical Journal2009-01-01281S1067-991X(08)X0007-044http://www.airmedicaljournal.com/article/PIIS1067991X08002800/abstract?rss=yesAir Medical Journal (ISSN 1067-991X) is published bimonthly by Elsevier Inc., 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010-1710. Months of issue are January, March, May, July, September, and November. Business and Editorial Offices: 1600 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 1800, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2899. Customer Service Office: 11830 Westline Industrial Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices.General Information10.1016/S1067-991X(08)00280-0Air Medical Journal 28, 1 (2009)2009-01-01Air Medical Journal2009-01-01281S1067-991X(08)X0007-055http://www.airmedicaljournal.com/article/PIIS1067991X08002733/abstract?rss=yesAir & Surface Transport Nurses Association Karen Wojdyla, Executive Director 7995 E. Prentice Ave, Suite 100 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 (720) 488-0492 astna@gwami.com2009 Association Offices10.1016/j.amj.2008.11.002Air Medical Journal 28, 1 (2009)2009-01-01Air Medical Journal2009-01-01281S1067-991X(08)X0007-0In This Issue67http://www.airmedicaljournal.com/article/PIIS1067991X08002460/abstract?rss=yesScheduling a site visit can be a very involved process, and we at the Commission on Accreditation for Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) recently made some changes and adjustments to the process. I am unable to write about this without discussing the primary reason for these changes. Our site survey coordinator for several years, Karen Rogers, resigned from this position as of January 2009 (pictured here). Her management and organizational skills have been an invaluable resource to CAMTS for many years. She will assist the board with special projects but will no longer be scheduling the site visits.Scheduling a Site VisitEileen Frazer10.1016/j.amj.2008.10.003Air Medical Journal 28, 1 (2009)2009-01-01Air Medical Journal2009-01-01281S1067-991X(08)X0007-0Ask the CAMTS88http://www.airmedicaljournal.com/article/PIIS1067991X08002472/abstract?rss=yes The following is recounting of an actual patient case involving air transport. Minor details of the case may be changed to protect the privacy of the patient. The initial presentation and treatment are described, followed by several questions, in this issue. Readers are invited to submit responses to the questions and other thoughts/comments to David Ross at DRDR0682@aol.com. In the next issue, relevant reader responses will be published. We will conclude the case in the next issue with a discussion of how the patient was actually managed, the outcome, a review of the related medical literature, and interviews with medical/transport experts when appropriate. We strongly encourage reader participation. Supraventricular Tachycardia in a Patient With a Ruptured Abdominal Aortic AneurysmErik S. Glassman10.1016/j.amj.2008.10.004Air Medical Journal 28, 1 (2009)2009-01-01Air Medical Journal2009-01-01281S1067-991X(08)X0007-0Case Review1010http://www.airmedicaljournal.com/article/PIIS1067991X08002484/abstract?rss=yesPollock CV, Antman EM, Hollander JE. 2007 focused update to the ACC/AHA guidelines for the management of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: implications for emergency department practice. Ann Emerg Med 2008;52:344-55.Recent Articles of Interest to Critical Care Out-of-Hospital PersonnelDaniel Hankins10.1016/j.amj.2008.10.005Air Medical Journal 28, 1 (2009)2009-01-01Air Medical Journal2009-01-01281S1067-991X(08)X0007-0Literature Review1111http://www.airmedicaljournal.com/article/PIIS1067991X08002447/abstract?rss=yesAfter the cluster of tragic emergency medical services (EMS) accidents we experienced in 2008, lots of concerned people and organizations jumped to conclusions and proposed solutions to “fix” the problem. The solutions ranged from removing beds from the pilots, limiting the length of naps on duty, and prohibiting EMS flights in certain counties to a wide range of well-meaning legislation meant to cure the ills of this industry. I would like to suggest again that if operators, programs, pilots, and flight teams simply followed common-sense rules and recommended practices currently in existence well before this writing, our community could avoid these needless accidents. Poor decision making and apparent loss of situational awareness continue as root causes—almost nothing in proposed legislation will have any effect on the most basic reasons we have accidents in our community.Fixing What's BrokenEd MacDonald10.1016/j.amj.2008.10.001Air Medical Journal 28, 1 (2009)2009-01-01Air Medical Journal2009-01-01281S1067-991X(08)X0007-0Safety Matters1213http://www.airmedicaljournal.com/article/PIIS1067991X08002459/abstract?rss=yesThe Concern Network shares verified information to alert medical transport programs when an accident/incident has occurred. Both air and ground programs are encouraged to participate. If you have questions, contact CONCERN Coordinator David Kearns at (800)-525-3712 or www.concern-network.org.Concern Network10.1016/j.amj.2008.10.006Air Medical Journal 28, 1 (2009)2009-01-01Air Medical Journal2009-01-01281S1067-991X(08)X0007-0Concern Network1416http://www.airmedicaljournal.com/article/PIIS1067991X08002745/abstract?rss=yesAMTC in Minneapolis has come and gone, but the great memories are still fresh. Over 110 air medical physicians attended! Over 2500 air medical personnel gathered in Minneapolis. What a great turnout! AMPA and its Education Committee sponsored two preconferences: Core Curriculum I and a new session, Beyond Core Curriculum, The Medical Directors Forum. Members had made it quite clear that there was a need for networking and discussion, and AMPA responded appropriately.Forum10.1016/j.amj.2008.11.003Air Medical Journal 28, 1 (2009)2009-01-01Air Medical Journal2009-01-01281S1067-991X(08)X0007-0Forum1720http://www.airmedicaljournal.com/article/PIIS1067991X08002435/abstract?rss=yes It is dark, a late summer evening; a 14-year-old in critical condition, thrown 30 feet by a hit-and-run driver, is in the emergency room with a helicopter on the way. We make a quick entrance, transfer care from the hospital nurses and physicians, and move just as quickly out the door. As the aircraft lights come on and the engines begin to turn, we transit through the young woman's family, speaking quietly. They are anxious and scared, not knowing whether they will ever see their daughter alive again. From the first call to 9-1-1, nearly 80 first responders, emergency medical technicians, nurses, and physicians at two hospitals will work throughout the next 12 hours to save this young woman's life and future.LifeFlight of Maine: The Gift of TrustThomas Judge10.1016/j.amj.2008.10.002Air Medical Journal 28, 1 (2009)2009-01-01Air Medical Journal2009-01-01281S1067-991X(08)X0007-0Features2225http://www.airmedicaljournal.com/article/PIIS1067991X08001612/abstract?rss=yes In 1989, the National Association of Air-medical Communication Specialists (NAACS) was established. NAACS mission is to enhance and standardize the role of air medical communication specialists through education and certification. NAACS serves as the national voice for air medical communication specialists in the field of air medical transport.The Changing Role of Air Medical Communication SpecialistsRobin Cockerill, Garet Hickman, Frank Thomas10.1016/j.amj.2008.07.012Air Medical Journal 28, 1 (2009)2009-01-01Air Medical Journal2009-01-01281S1067-991X(08)X0007-0Features2630http://www.airmedicaljournal.com/article/PIIS1067991X0800148X/abstract?rss=yesThe concept of allowing family member passenger(s) (FMP) during transport remains controversial in the medical transport community. As the practice of family presence becomes more widely accepted in hospitals, medical transport teams can expect more family members to ask to accompany the patient during transport. The goal of this paper is to provide guidelines for implementation of an FMP program in the transport environment.Partners in Care: Implementing a Policy on Family Member PassengersRobyn Neely Funk, Jessica Strohm Farber10.1016/j.amj.2008.06.001Air Medical Journal 28, 1 (2009)2009-01-01Air Medical Journal2009-01-01281S1067-991X(08)X0007-0Features3136http://www.airmedicaljournal.com/article/PIIS1067991X08001466/abstract?rss=yesPerhaps no patient population invokes more dread in the prehospital setting than the sick pregnant patient. Assessing the pregnant patient in shock requires identifying sources of potential shock, knowledge of the unique physiologic changes of pregnancy influencing initial therapies, and transporting in an efficient manner to maximize benefit to the patient and expedite the transfer to definitive obstetric care. Here we present a case of air medical transport of a pregnant patient in shock with a review of the relevant literature.Transporting the Pregnant Patient in Shock: Case Report and ReviewKurt Smith, Diana L. Deimling, William R. Hinckley10.1016/j.amj.2008.06.003Air Medical Journal 28, 1 (2009)2009-01-01Air Medical Journal2009-01-01281S1067-991X(08)X0007-0Case Report3739http://www.airmedicaljournal.com/article/PIIS1067991X08001594/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Introduction: The intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is a hemodynamic support device that provides circulatory enhancement to patients whose cardiac output is compromised. Special clinical skills are required for management of the patient with an IABP in place. Few studies have discussed the transport of the IABP-dependent patient. The current study was designed to describe the transport of IABP-dependent patients, with a focus on pretransport interventions, transport interventions, quality improvement, and complications. Methods: A review of all transports from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2005, performed by a critical care transport program with a nurse/paramedic crew offering mobile intensive care unit (ICU), rotor-wing, and fixed-wing service was conducted. All patients who were maintained on an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) were eligible for inclusion. A certified perfusionist was available for consultation on all transports. Information about the IABP, including the pump timing, confirmation of balloon location, and inflation/deflation timing parameters, was collected. Proper balloon placement was verified and recorded at the sending hospital. Data were collected regarding interventions required before and during transport and complications during transport. Descriptive statistics were used. Results: During the study period, 173 transports involving an IABP were performed. The average age was 60.8 years, and 67.8% were men. Forty-one percent were flown by rotor-wing, 36.4% were transported by the mobile ICU, and 21.4% were flown by the fixed-wing transport. In 1.2% of cases, there was a change in transport mode. Twelve percent of patients required some increase in oxygen supplementation, but only one patient required intubation before transport by the transport crew. The most common pretransport medications were heparin (69%), inotropes (55%), and other infusions (46.8%). Twenty-two percent had no written confirmation of the correct balloon placement. There were no significant complications found during transport, including hemorrhage, loss of trigger signals, or cardiac arrest. Twelve percent had some abnormalities in timing of balloon inflation or deflation. Conclusion: IABP transports can be safely performed by a nurse/paramedic critical care transport team with perfusionist consultation. Few patients require significant intervention before transport. Attention must be paid to balloon inflation and deflation timing despite the existence of timing algorithms. Significant complications during transport were not seen. Future studies should explore the overall outcome of IABP-dependent patients and the role of transport mode on outcome. Transfer of Patients Dependent on an Intra-aortic Balloon Pump Using Critical Care ServicesTracey D. Sinclair, Howard A. Werman10.1016/j.amj.2008.07.013Air Medical Journal 28, 1 (2009)2009-01-01Air Medical Journal2009-01-01281S1067-991X(08)X0007-0Original Research4046