Integrated Diagnostic and Treatment Devices for Enroute Critical Care of Patients within Theater
Abstract
The combination of far-forward surgical hospitals, which vastly shorten time between injury and life-saving surgery, and employment of damage control surgery/resuscitation practices have been significant factors in the much improved survival rates observed during Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom as evidenced by the roughly 40% reduction in case fatality rate observed for OEF and OIF over the 2001-2005 period compared to that of the Viet Nam conflict. Post-operative patients coming out of these forward surgical hospitals are often moved within just a few hours following surgery and require high acuity care during transport. These patients are stabilized, but not necessarily stable, and are particularly vulnerable during Interfacility transport between theater hospitals, i.e., between Role 2 and Role 3 facilities or between Role 3 facilities. Interfacility transport of critical patients in theater normally takes place on US Army rotary-wing aircraft, but ground ambulances or even watercraft may be used if necessary. To help ensure positive patient outcomes during these transport missions the originating theater hospital provides an appropriately skilled critical care provider and medical equipment to support the patient during transport. The medical devices provided are the same portable patient monitor and therapeutic devices used in the originating hospital. Use of multiple portable medical devices during Interfacility transport of critical patients is problematic, especially in the rotary-wing environment, which is characterized by high noise levels, extreme vibration, confined space, and low-to-no-light conditions all of which impede patient assessment and prompt intervention. This is troublesome as several adverse events can occur during transport including exsanguination, hypotension, hypoxemia, accidental extubation or loss of intravenous access, inadequate sedation / analgesia, hypothermia, and ventilator malfunction. Furthermore, portable medical device
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA586526
Entities
People
- Ronald W. Palmer
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research and Development Command