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Trauma and nontrauma cardiopulmonary arrest: a national survey
H Herron1, R Johnson, S Childress
1Grant Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
Introduction:
This survey attempts to identify the current standard of care for the air medical transport of the patient in cardiopulmonary arrest.
Method:
An Association of Air Medical Services/National Flight Nurses Association-approved survey by a single mailing with an anonymous response.
Setting:
All rotor-craft programs with current memberships in AAMS.
Results:
Fifty-three of the 178 questionnaires mailed were returned. Program demographics, crew composition and transport volumes were typical of other reported national experiences. The majority of programs (84%) had standing operational protocols for trauma and non-trauma cardiopulmonary arrests. The indications for not initiating or discontinuing CPR, the transport of the patient in cardiopulmonary arrest, triage and financial considerations varied widely between air medical programs.
Conclusions:
This study provides some insight on the current air medical management of the patient in cardiopulmonary arrest. National practice guidelines should be developed and tested prospectively in future studies.