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In Flight Patient Care Considerations for: Burns Neurological Spinal Cord. Objective.
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In Flight Patient Care Considerations for: Burns Neurological Spinal Cord
Objective • Apply knowledge of flight physiology and aviation environmental stressors in the planning and delivery of pre-flight and in-flight care of patients with cardiopulmonary, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, neurological, ophthalmologic, otorhinolaryngologic, orthopedic, and burn injuries and conditions
General Considerations • Preflight • Mode of transport • Patient Assessment • Supplies • Equipment
General Considerations • IV flow rates without pump • O2 conversion table – sea level equivalent • Securing patient and equipment • Securing self • Reliance on low tech physical assessment • Hearing protection for patient and ERC personnel
Burn Injuries • Preflight Assessment • %TBSA burned, location and source • Status of airway and patency • Vascular access • Fluid requirements • Patency of foley, NG • Vital signs, POX, urine output
Burn Injuries • Preflight Assessment • Pain medication, sedation • Peripheral pulses • Present wound management • Associated injuries and need for altitude restriction (CXR) • Secure vascular access, ET tube with sutures
Burn Injuries • Preflight Assessment • Assess Hct and transfuse if < 30% prior to flight • If MD orders topical cream, apply evenly 1/16 to 1/8 inch thick and cover with absorbent dressing and Kling
Burn Injuries • Stresses of flight • All stresses of flight will affect the burn victim • Thermal • Decreased partial pressure of oxygen • Decreased barometric pressure • Decreased humidity
Burn Injuries • In-flight considerations • Monitor mental status • Administer warmed, humidified oxygen – exception for face, head, neck burns • Elevate head • Continue with fluid resuscitation- second 24 hours add colloids – 200ml salt poor albumin/800ml LR at 0.5ml/kg/%TBSA
Burn Injuries • In-flight considerations • Second 24 hours addition of dextrose to meet metabolic demands – D51/4 NS • Maintain urine output >50ml/hr(75-100ml for electrical) monitor for myoglobinuria • NG to gravity or suction -monitor • Hourly evaluation of all peripheral pulses
Burn Injuries • In-flight considerations • Protect from convection heat losses – shield from drafts and airflow • Maintain core body temperature 99-100 • Dressings should be occlusive, NEVER change en route • Medicate frequently – use small doses Morphine 2-4 mg IVP. Avoid Demerol
Neurological Injuries • Preflight Assessment • Diagnosis, treatment • Airway, Mechanical ventilation settings • LOC, GCS • Pupil assessment • Vital signs • Motor, sensory evaluation
Neurological Injuries • Preflight Assessment • Diagnosis, treatment • Airway, Mechanical ventilation settings • LOC, GCS • Pupil assessment • Vital signs • Motor, sensory eval
Neurological Injuries • Preflight Assessment • Seizure activity, medications • IVF, NG, Foley and patency
Neurological Injuries • Stresses of flight • Decreased partial pressure of oxygen • Barometric Pressure Changes • Decreased Humidity • G-Forces
Neurological Injuries • In-flight considerations • Field-level altitude restriction for all penetrating, PBI induced head injuries • Maintain POX>/=95%, tight ETCO2 control between 25-27(pCO2 30-32) • Administer paralytics, sedation as needed • Avoid succinylcholine use for RSI – IIP
Neurological Injuries • In-flight Considerations • IVF in absence of causes of hypovolemia at 80ml NS/hr – maintain MAP 65-70 • Closely monitor GCS, pupils –for deterioration in GCS or pupil changes evidencing IIP administer 20% Mannitol 1-1.5 g/kg bolus • Maintain normothermic – protect from thermal changes
Neurological Injuries • In-flight Considerations • Elevate head • NG/OG to gravity/suction • Monitor for seizure activity – administer Dilantin prophylaxis, Valium for seizures • Hypertension – administer Metoprolol • Hearing protection, eye protection
ACCELERATION/DECELERATION FORCES POSITIONING THE LITTER PATIENT DURING TAKE-OFF/ LANDING
Spinal Cord Injuries • Preflight Assessment • Diagnosis and treatment • Level of function • Airway secured, mech ventilation settings • Vital signs, POX, • Foley, NG • Medications
Spinal Cord Injuries • Preflight Assessment • IVF and rate • Spinal cord immobilization – goal to preserve current level of function. Avoid logrolling patient • Spring loaded traction
Spinal Cord Injuries • Stresses of flight • ALL!
Spinal Cord Injuries • In-flight Consideration • Maintain spinal immobilization • Maintain POX 95% or >, EtCO2 30-40 unless concomitant head injury then 25-27 • Altitude restriction if associated head injury • IVF 80ml/hr NS • Monitor vital signs – Neosynephrine for neurogenic shock? Dopamine?
Spinal Cord Injuries • In-flight Consideration • Maintain Methylprednisolone drip if in progress • Protect from hypothermia • Protect from G forces-loss of vasomotor tone in spinal shock
ACCELERATION/DECELERATION FORCES POSITIONING THE LITTER PATIENT DURING TAKE-OFF/ LANDING