Pub Date : 2025-09-25DOI: 10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.008
John R. Clark JD, MBA, NRP, FP-C, CCP-C, WP-C, CMTE
{"title":"The Erosion and Evolution of Medical Peer-Review Privilege: A 2025 Perspective for Air Medical and Critical Care Transport","authors":"John R. Clark JD, MBA, NRP, FP-C, CCP-C, WP-C, CMTE","doi":"10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.008","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35737,"journal":{"name":"Air Medical Journal","volume":"44 6","pages":"Pages 442-445"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145371225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-20DOI: 10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.009
Brittney Bernardoni MD , Mikko Sayre MD , Matthew Roginski MD, MPH , Adam L. Gottula MD , Alyson Esteves PharmD , Craig Tschautscher MD, MS , Michael Lauria MD
Vasodilatory shock is a critical condition marked by maldistribution of blood flow leading to decreased oxygen delivery and organ dysfunction. Although sepsis is the most well-studied cause, other causes include anaphylaxis, endocrine or neurologic dysfunction, toxidromes, and the post-cardiac arrest or post-cardiopulmonary bypass state. After appropriate volume resuscitation, vasopressors may be added in a stepwise manner targeting a mean arterial pressure of >65 mm Hg to ensure organ perfusion. If a patient does not respond adequately to these initial measures, a “resuscitation checkpoint” can be used as a debiasing strategy to consider other contributing factors to shock. If cardiac dysfunction is present, consider addition of inotropes. Metabolic resuscitation may be accomplished in appropriate patients with corticosteroids, calcium, or sodium bicarbonate. Finally, emerging treatments may be considered for refractory vasodilatory shock, including angiotensin II, methylene blue, and hydroxocobalamin. Overall, this review presents an evidence-based tiered approach to management of refractory vasodilatory shock in critical care transport.
{"title":"Vasodilatory Shock—From Initial Resuscitation to Rescue Therapies: Narrative Review and Considerations for Critical Care Transport","authors":"Brittney Bernardoni MD , Mikko Sayre MD , Matthew Roginski MD, MPH , Adam L. Gottula MD , Alyson Esteves PharmD , Craig Tschautscher MD, MS , Michael Lauria MD","doi":"10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vasodilatory shock is a critical condition marked by maldistribution of blood flow leading to decreased oxygen delivery and organ dysfunction. Although sepsis is the most well-studied cause, other causes include anaphylaxis, endocrine or neurologic dysfunction, toxidromes, and the post-cardiac arrest or post-cardiopulmonary bypass state. After appropriate volume resuscitation, vasopressors may be added in a stepwise manner targeting a mean arterial pressure of >65 mm Hg to ensure organ perfusion. If a patient does not respond adequately to these initial measures, a “resuscitation checkpoint” can be used as a debiasing strategy to consider other contributing factors to shock. If cardiac dysfunction is present, consider addition of inotropes. Metabolic resuscitation may be accomplished in appropriate patients with corticosteroids, calcium, or sodium bicarbonate. Finally, emerging treatments may be considered for refractory vasodilatory shock, including angiotensin II, methylene blue, and hydroxocobalamin. Overall, this review presents an evidence-based tiered approach to management of refractory vasodilatory shock in critical care transport.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":35737,"journal":{"name":"Air Medical Journal","volume":"44 6","pages":"Pages 539-547"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145371296","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-18DOI: 10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.011
Kelly M. Tillotson MD, Erica C. Blustein MD, James L. Li MD, M.Ed, Aaron J. Lacy MD, MHPE
{"title":"Recognition and Management of Pseudo-Pulseless Electrical Activity in the Prehospital Setting","authors":"Kelly M. Tillotson MD, Erica C. Blustein MD, James L. Li MD, M.Ed, Aaron J. Lacy MD, MHPE","doi":"10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.011","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35737,"journal":{"name":"Air Medical Journal","volume":"44 6","pages":"Pages 449-451"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145371027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-17DOI: 10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.005
Cari H. Rayborn MD, FAAP , Kaitlyn Clamp MS-II , Megan Sampson DO, FAAP , Rudy J. Kink MD, FAAP
Objective
Although numerous studies have evaluated transport modes for pediatric trauma, few have addressed strategies for sepsis. This study evaluates whether ground versus rotor wing transport affects transport time, hospital length of stay (LOS), or mortality in pediatric patients with suspected sepsis.
Methods
We performed a retrospective chart review at a 255-bed tertiary children’s hospital and level 1 trauma center (∼81,000 annual emergency department visits). Patients aged 0 to 18 years with a referring diagnosis of possible sepsis and transported by Pedi-Flite, a specialized neonatal/pediatric critical care team, between January 1, 2010, and January 1, 2020, were included; neonatal intensive care unit admissions were excluded. Data included demographics, transport time, fluid/antibiotic administration, vasopressor use, blood culture results, LOS, discharge disposition, and insurance status.
Results
Of 87 patients, 63 were transported by ground and 24 by rotor wing. Baseline characteristics and outcomes did not differ significantly. Mean transfer time was 150 ± 80 minutes for ground and 210 ± 297 minutes for rotor (P = .40). Team arrival to the referring hospital was 72 ± 51 minutes for ground and 125 ± 296 minutes for rotor (P = .40). LOS was 10.78 days (ground) versus 9.22 days (rotor; P = .6), and survival was 97% (rotor) versus 90% (ground; P = .40). Most patients received intravenous fluids (97%) and antibiotics (95%), with no group differences in administration rates or mean volume (33.4 vs. 33.3 mL/kg; P = .77). Vasopressors were started during transport in 10% and by the receiving hospital in 63%. In addition, 12 patients (14%) were intubated. Blood cultures were obtained in 40%, with 17% positive; no differences were observed between the groups (all P > .30).
Conclusion
Transport mode was not associated with differences in care or outcomes for suspected pediatric sepsis. In regions with similar geography and dispatch logistics, ground transport by a specialized critical care team may provide equivalent outcomes to rotor wing.
目的虽然许多研究已经评估了儿童创伤的转运方式，但很少有研究针对败血症的策略。本研究评估地面与旋翼运输是否影响运输时间，住院时间（LOS），或死亡率的儿科患者疑似败血症。方法：我们对一家拥有255个床位的三级儿童医院和一级创伤中心（每年约81,000次急诊就诊）进行回顾性图表回顾。纳入2010年1月1日至2020年1月1日期间，年龄在0至18岁，诊断为可能的败血症，并由儿科重症监护专科团队Pedi-Flite运送的患者；新生儿重症监护病房住院排除在外。数据包括人口统计、运输时间、液体/抗生素给药、血管加压剂使用、血培养结果、LOS、出院处置和保险状况。结果87例患者中，63例采用地面运输，24例采用旋翼运输。基线特征和结果无显著差异。地面平均转移时间为150±80分钟，转子平均转移时间为210±297分钟（P = 0.40）。地面小组到达转诊医院72±51分钟，旋翼小组到达转诊医院125±296分钟（P = 0.40）。LOS为10.78天（地面）vs 9.22天（旋翼），生存率为97%（旋翼）vs 90%（地面），P = 0.40。大多数患者接受静脉输液（97%）和抗生素（95%），在给药率和平均体积方面没有组间差异（33.4 mL/kg vs 33.3 mL/kg; P = 0.77）。10%的患者在运送途中开始使用血管加压药，63%的患者在接收医院开始使用血管加压药。此外，12例患者（14%）插管。40%进行血培养，阳性17%；各组间无差异（均P >； 30）。结论：运输方式与疑似儿童脓毒症的护理或结局差异无关。在地理位置和调度物流相似的地区，由专门的重症监护小组进行地面运输可以提供与旋翼相同的结果。
{"title":"The Race Against Sepsis: Are Helicopters Always Necessary? A Single-Center Analysis at a Tertiary Pediatric Hospital","authors":"Cari H. Rayborn MD, FAAP , Kaitlyn Clamp MS-II , Megan Sampson DO, FAAP , Rudy J. Kink MD, FAAP","doi":"10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Although numerous studies have evaluated transport modes for pediatric trauma, few have addressed strategies for sepsis. This study evaluates whether ground versus rotor wing transport affects transport time, hospital length of stay (LOS), or mortality in pediatric patients with suspected sepsis.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We performed a retrospective chart review at a 255-bed tertiary children’s hospital and level 1 trauma center (∼81,000 annual emergency department visits). Patients aged 0 to 18 years with a referring diagnosis of possible sepsis and transported by Pedi-Flite, a specialized neonatal/pediatric critical care team, between January 1, 2010, and January 1, 2020, were included; neonatal intensive care unit admissions were excluded. Data included demographics, transport time, fluid/antibiotic administration, vasopressor use, blood culture results, LOS, discharge disposition, and insurance status.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of 87 patients, 63 were transported by ground and 24 by rotor wing. Baseline characteristics and outcomes did not differ significantly. Mean transfer time was 150 ± 80 minutes for ground and 210 ± 297 minutes for rotor (<em>P</em> = .40). Team arrival to the referring hospital was 72 ± 51 minutes for ground and 125 ± 296 minutes for rotor (<em>P</em> = .40). LOS was 10.78 days (ground) versus 9.22 days (rotor; <em>P</em> = .6), and survival was 97% (rotor) versus 90% (ground; <em>P</em> = .40). Most patients received intravenous fluids (97%) and antibiotics (95%), with no group differences in administration rates or mean volume (33.4 vs. 33.3 mL/kg; <em>P</em> = .77). Vasopressors were started during transport in 10% and by the receiving hospital in 63%. In addition, 12 patients (14%) were intubated. Blood cultures were obtained in 40%, with 17% positive; no differences were observed between the groups (all <em>P</em> > .30).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Transport mode was not associated with differences in care or outcomes for suspected pediatric sepsis. In regions with similar geography and dispatch logistics, ground transport by a specialized critical care team may provide equivalent outcomes to rotor wing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":35737,"journal":{"name":"Air Medical Journal","volume":"44 6","pages":"Pages 521-524"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145371299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-14DOI: 10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.002
Mike Jasumback MD , Bryce Hill MD , Kaori Tanaka DO , Lesley Osborn MD , Seth Butler DO , Adam L. Gottula MD , Craig Tschautscher MD , Benjamin Lawner DO
Objective
The prehospital care of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is fraught with many challenges. Knowledge gaps within the prehospital care of patients with AIS contribute to inconsistent practices regarding diagnosis, pre-intervention positioning during transport, evaluation for stroke mimics, optimal patient destination, and hemodynamic management. The Air Medical Physician Symposium Lite held in Salt Lake City, Utah, gave experts in the field of critical care transport medicine (CCTM) a venue to discuss the current and optimal states of the prehospital patient with AIS.
Methods
The Air Medical Physician Symposium Lite was held on November 4, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Participants included international CCTM professionals. Attendees completed a survey on best practices, knowledge gaps, barriers to translation, and research priorities related to in-flight sedation and agitation protocols. The survey results informed lectures and panel discussions, followed by electronic audience voting to rank priority items.
Results
The analysis reveals significant challenges such as limited accuracy of AIS identification tools, unclear destination protocols, and conflicting guidelines for hemodynamic management. Effective blood pressure management in the prehospital setting and the impact on air medical transport on the outcome of patients with AIS remain the top research priorities.
Conclusion
This statement underscores the need for additional future studies and standardized guidelines in CCTM, emphasizing improved diagnostic tools, clear destination protocols, and evidence-based hemodynamic management to enhance outcomes for patients with AIS during critical care transport.
{"title":"Stroke Management in Critical Care Transport Medicine: A Consensus Statement","authors":"Mike Jasumback MD , Bryce Hill MD , Kaori Tanaka DO , Lesley Osborn MD , Seth Butler DO , Adam L. Gottula MD , Craig Tschautscher MD , Benjamin Lawner DO","doi":"10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The prehospital care of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is fraught with many challenges. Knowledge gaps within the prehospital care of patients with AIS contribute to inconsistent practices regarding diagnosis, pre-intervention positioning during transport, evaluation for stroke mimics, optimal patient destination, and hemodynamic management. The Air Medical Physician Symposium Lite held in Salt Lake City, Utah, gave experts in the field of critical care transport medicine (CCTM) a venue to discuss the current and optimal states of the prehospital patient with AIS.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The Air Medical Physician Symposium Lite was held on November 4, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Participants included international CCTM professionals. Attendees completed a survey on best practices, knowledge gaps, barriers to translation, and research priorities related to in-flight sedation and agitation protocols. The survey results informed lectures and panel discussions, followed by electronic audience voting to rank priority items.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The analysis reveals significant challenges such as limited accuracy of AIS identification tools, unclear destination protocols, and conflicting guidelines for hemodynamic management. Effective blood pressure management in the prehospital setting and the impact on air medical transport on the outcome of patients with AIS remain the top research priorities.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This statement underscores the need for additional future studies and standardized guidelines in CCTM, emphasizing improved diagnostic tools, clear destination protocols, and evidence-based hemodynamic management to enhance outcomes for patients with AIS during critical care transport.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":35737,"journal":{"name":"Air Medical Journal","volume":"44 6","pages":"Pages 511-515"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145371300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-13DOI: 10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.006
Carly M. Dahl MD, MSCI , Michelle P. Debbink MD, PhD , Shelley Rogers RN , Lisa Pappas MS , Sunayna Wahi MS, MBA , Torri D. Metz MD, MS , Flint Porter MD , Marcela C. Smid MD, MS, MA
Obstetric transport to higher levels of maternal care for critically ill pregnant individuals is recommended to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity, yet data on these transports are lacking. We aimed to describe the characteristics of obstetric transports of 1 integrated health system’s perinatal transport service from January 2020 to December 2023, with a specific focus on assessing factors associated with transport directly to an intensive care unit (ICU) rather than an emergency room or labor and delivery unit. During the study period, 1,087 obstetric transports occurred, most frequently for preterm labor (28.8%), preeclampsia (28.7%), and preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (18.7%). Transport most often occurred via rotor wing (48.0%). Transport to the ICU occurred in 3.2% of cases. Transport to the ICU was associated with longer physician consultation time (17.0 minutes [interquartile range 9.75-31.0] vs. 11.0 minutes [7.0-18.0], P = .006), shorter flight team dispatch time (13 minutes [8.0-33.0] vs. 20.0 minutes [13.5-29.0], P = .03), longer stabilization time before departure (19.0 minutes [15.0-33.0] vs. 15.0 minutes [12.0-20.0], P < .001), and longer time to load the patient to the aircraft (10.0 minutes [7.0-14.0] vs. 7.0 minutes [5.0-10.0], P = .002). Factors associated with transport to the ICU included a diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 11.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.14-36.79), being postpartum (aOR 54.93, 95% CI 21.52-144.81), and further distance traveled (aOR 1.01 per mile traveled, 95% CI 1.00-1.01). Obstetric transports to the ICU are uncommon but require specialized patient care.
{"title":"Obstetric Transport and Factors Associated With Transport to the Intensive Care Unit","authors":"Carly M. Dahl MD, MSCI , Michelle P. Debbink MD, PhD , Shelley Rogers RN , Lisa Pappas MS , Sunayna Wahi MS, MBA , Torri D. Metz MD, MS , Flint Porter MD , Marcela C. Smid MD, MS, MA","doi":"10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Obstetric transport to higher levels of maternal care for critically ill pregnant individuals is recommended to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity, yet data on these transports are lacking. We aimed to describe the characteristics of obstetric transports of 1 integrated health system’s perinatal transport service from January 2020 to December 2023, with a specific focus on assessing factors associated with transport directly to an intensive care unit (ICU) rather than an emergency room or labor and delivery unit. During the study period, 1,087 obstetric transports occurred, most frequently for preterm labor (28.8%), preeclampsia (28.7%), and preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (18.7%). Transport most often occurred via rotor wing (48.0%). Transport to the ICU occurred in 3.2% of cases. Transport to the ICU was associated with longer physician consultation time (17.0 minutes [interquartile range 9.75-31.0] vs. 11.0 minutes [7.0-18.0], <em>P</em> = .006), shorter flight team dispatch time (13 minutes [8.0-33.0] vs. 20.0 minutes [13.5-29.0], <em>P</em> = .03), longer stabilization time before departure (19.0 minutes [15.0-33.0] vs. 15.0 minutes [12.0-20.0], <em>P</em> < .001), and longer time to load the patient to the aircraft (10.0 minutes [7.0-14.0] vs. 7.0 minutes [5.0-10.0], <em>P</em> = .002). Factors associated with transport to the ICU included a diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 11.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.14-36.79), being postpartum (aOR 54.93, 95% CI 21.52-144.81), and further distance traveled (aOR 1.01 per mile traveled, 95% CI 1.00-1.01). Obstetric transports to the ICU are uncommon but require specialized patient care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":35737,"journal":{"name":"Air Medical Journal","volume":"44 6","pages":"Pages 548-552"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145371376","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-13DOI: 10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.003
Feiyue Zhao BS , John Lovett MSN , Francis X. Guyette MD , Dylan Morris MD , Justin C. Wang BA , Michael L. Boninger MD , Jayant Rajgopal PhD , Natasa Vidic PhD
Climate change poses a significant challenge to public health, yet the health care industry contributes substantially to greenhouse gas emissions, with approximately 8.5% of the US emissions linked to health care operations. Among the sector's overlooked environmental impacts, helicopter air ambulances (HAAs), essential for patient transport, have a notable environmental cost due to high fuel consumption and emissions. This study explores the potential for optimizing HAA dispatch strategies to reduce fuel use and emissions. Focusing on interfacility transports within STAT MedEvac’s network, we introduce a method to minimize total roundtrip travel distance while adhering to clinically acceptable time thresholds. By optimizing dispatch decisions for interfacility transport, we calculated potential annual savings of >6,000 miles (1.8% of total distance) and corresponding reductions in fuel consumption and emissions. Further optimization using more flexible time thresholds could double these savings. This research demonstrates that minor changes in HAA dispatch strategies can lead to significant environmental benefits while maintaining high patient care standards, suggesting a scalable model for improving sustainability in the health care sector.
{"title":"Optimizing Helicopter Air Ambulance Dispatch to Improve Sustainability in Interfacility Transfers","authors":"Feiyue Zhao BS , John Lovett MSN , Francis X. Guyette MD , Dylan Morris MD , Justin C. Wang BA , Michael L. Boninger MD , Jayant Rajgopal PhD , Natasa Vidic PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change poses a significant challenge to public health, yet the health care industry contributes substantially to greenhouse gas emissions, with approximately 8.5% of the US emissions linked to health care operations. Among the sector's overlooked environmental impacts, helicopter air ambulances (HAAs), essential for patient transport, have a notable environmental cost due to high fuel consumption and emissions. This study explores the potential for optimizing HAA dispatch strategies to reduce fuel use and emissions. Focusing on interfacility transports within STAT MedEvac’s network, we introduce a method to minimize total roundtrip travel distance while adhering to clinically acceptable time thresholds. By optimizing dispatch decisions for interfacility transport, we calculated potential annual savings of >6,000 miles (1.8% of total distance) and corresponding reductions in fuel consumption and emissions. Further optimization using more flexible time thresholds could double these savings. This research demonstrates that minor changes in HAA dispatch strategies can lead to significant environmental benefits while maintaining high patient care standards, suggesting a scalable model for improving sustainability in the health care sector.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":35737,"journal":{"name":"Air Medical Journal","volume":"44 6","pages":"Pages 516-520"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145371297","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A catastrophic earthquake struck the southeastern parts of Turkey and Syria in February 2023, causing massive destruction of infrastructure and approximately 50,000 deaths and 120,000 injuries. Regional and global medical assistance were initiated, and The Norwegian Armed Forces contributed with air medical evacuation (AE). A detachment consisting of a Hercules C-130 J airplane with personnel from the Royal Norwegian Airforce and a critical-care air transport team (CCATT) from The Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services responded. The AE setting is demanding and requires special training and preparations. We aim to describe the Norwegian AE platform and key findings regarding operational and medical aspects of the response to Turkey.
Methods
Patient data were collected on “The NATO medical history chart” and supplemented by observations from the CCATT. We describe the Norwegian AE detachment in detail regarding personnel and equipment.
Results
A total of 184 patients were transported on 6 flights. All missions were secondary transports. Of the patients, 45.7% presented deviant physiological parameters, with tachycardia and hypoxia as the most frequent. The dominating primary diagnosis was severe crush injuries. The patient´s age ranged from newborns to patients in their late 80s. The need for medical treatment during transport turned out to be big.
Conclusion
The Norwegian AE system uses both military and civilian emergency medicine competence and represents a readily available contribution to disasters. Patients from earthquakes are seriously injured with a high demand for medical monitoring and treatment.
{"title":"The Norwegian Armed Forces Aeromedical Evacuation Response to the 2023 Earthquake in Turkey","authors":"Åke Erling L. Andresen MD, PhD , Håvard Brynildsen RN , Tord Loe RN , Bjørn Eidissen EMT-P , Harald Grindheim MSc , Håkon Asak MD","doi":"10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.amj.2025.08.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>A catastrophic earthquake struck the southeastern parts of Turkey and Syria in February 2023, causing massive destruction of infrastructure and approximately 50,000 deaths and 120,000 injuries. Regional and global medical assistance were initiated, and The Norwegian Armed Forces contributed with air medical evacuation (AE). A detachment consisting of a Hercules C-130 J airplane with personnel from the Royal Norwegian Airforce and a critical-care air transport team (CCATT) from The Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services responded. The AE setting is demanding and requires special training and preparations. We aim to describe the Norwegian AE platform and key findings regarding operational and medical aspects of the response to Turkey.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Patient data were collected on “The NATO medical history chart” and supplemented by observations from the CCATT. We describe the Norwegian AE detachment in detail regarding personnel and equipment.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 184 patients were transported on 6 flights. All missions were secondary transports. Of the patients, 45.7% presented deviant physiological parameters, with tachycardia and hypoxia as the most frequent. The dominating primary diagnosis was severe crush injuries. The patient´s age ranged from newborns to patients in their late 80s. The need for medical treatment during transport turned out to be big.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The Norwegian AE system uses both military and civilian emergency medicine competence and represents a readily available contribution to disasters. Patients from earthquakes are seriously injured with a high demand for medical monitoring and treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":35737,"journal":{"name":"Air Medical Journal","volume":"44 6","pages":"Pages 505-510"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145371295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号