Short-term outcomes of US Air Force Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) patients evacuated from a combat setting

The purpose of this study is to describe the short-term outcomes (during air transport) of patients managed by the United States Air Force Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATT).

This is a retrospective chart review of patients who were transported by CCATT between March 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008. A standardized abstraction form was used. Patients were classified as medical or trauma. Care given inflight was documented, including mechanical ventilation, vasoactive medication administration, and administration of blood products. Short-term events (during air transport) included death, oxyhemoglobin desaturation, hypotension, decline in neurological status, development of anuria or oliguria, and dislodgement of endotracheal and chest tubes.

A total of 656 patient moves met inclusion criteria, of which 425 (64.8%) were trauma and 231 (35.2%) were medical. Mechanical ventilation was required by 318 (49%), 68 (10%) received vasoactive medications, and 43 (7%) required blood products during the flight. There were a total of 75 events documented on 65 patient transports (10%). Of these, 19 were oxyhemoglobin desaturation, 29 were hypotension, 3 were decline in neurological status, and 23 were due to anuria or oliguria. We did not encounter any deaths or loss of airway or chest tubes during transport.

CCATTs are a successful platform in transporting critically injured/ill patients with minimal short-term complications.