Helicopter medical evacuation operations Flashcards
What is a medical evacuation commonly known as?
Medevac
What is the primary mode of transport for a medevac?
Helicopters
Which EMS jurisdictions are more likely to perform helicopter medevacs?
Most rural and suburban EMS jurisdictions and many urban systems
What may urban EMS systems have to provide medevac services?
A mutual aid agreement with another agency
What types of agencies might be involved in a mutual aid agreement for medevac services?
Police or hospital-based medevac service
Why is it important to familiarize yourself with medevac capabilities?
Because they vary by agency
What should you be familiar with when considering a medevac operation?
Medevac capabilities, protocols, and procedures
Fill in the blank: A medical evacuation is generally performed exclusively by _______.
[helicopters]
True or False: Only urban EMS systems can perform helicopter medevacs.
False
Why call for a medevac?
The transport time to the hospital by ground ambulance is too long considering the patient’s condition
This benefit in transport time could be greater in mountainous areas or other difficult terrain.
What condition may require urgent initiation of specialized treatment that is not locally available?
The patient requires urgent initiation of specialized treatment that is not locally available.
What are some limitations that may prohibit the use of a ground ambulance?
Road, traffic, or environmental conditions limit or completely prohibit the use of a ground ambulance.
What advanced care might a patient require that necessitates a medevac?
Advanced care such as inserting advanced airways or placing a chest tube.
When should medical evacuations be used?
For patients with time-dependent injuries or illnesses.
Which patients may benefit from evacuation via medevac?
Patients suspected of having a stroke, heart attack, or serious traumatic injuries.
What serious conditions may require helicopter medevacs?
Scuba diving accidents, near drownings, skiing and wilderness accidents.
Who are some other patients that may require medical evacuation?
- High-risk obstetric patients
- Candidates for limb replantation
- Patients requiring air transport to a burn center
- Patients requiring air transport to a hyperbaric chamber center
- Patients requiring air transport to a venomous bite center
What should you familiarize yourself with regarding medical evacuations?
The specific criteria in your system used to call for this lifesaving service.
Who must be notified first when calling for a medevac?
Your dispatcher.
What may the ground EMS crew access after the medevac has been initiated?
The flight crew on a specifically designated radio frequency for one-on-one communications.
What should you avoid when communicating with the flight crew?
Information that is not pertinent.
What essential information should you provide when communicating with the flight crew?
- Patient’s weight
- Clinical condition
- Update on the patient’s condition
