Critical Care Transport of Patients With Brain Injuries

Critical care transport began in the 1970s as a response to the growing need to be able to transport critically ill and injured patients to tertiary care centers for higher levels of care or specialized treatments. Patients in critical condition now are transported great distances to receive potentially lifesaving treatment and interventions. Modes of critical care transport include ambulances, helicopters, and airplanes. Critical care transport teams consist of highly skilled paramedics, registered nurses, respiratory therapists, nurse practitioners, and physicians. Many patient populations benefit from transfer to a higher level of care via critical care transport, including patients who suffer acute neurologic insult such as spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage and ischemic stroke.