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Physician roles in aeromedical evacuation: current practices in USAF operations.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hurd, WW; Montminy, RJ; De Lorenzo, RA; Burd, LT; Goldman, BS; Loftus, TJ
Published in: Aviat Space Environ Med
June 2006

Physicians play an increasingly important role in the critical medical process of aeromedical evacuation (AE). Incomplete or inappropriate preparation for AE can result in increased patient discomfort, and in the worst cases, potentially serious or insurmountable in-flight medical problems. During military operations and in response to natural disasters, physicians are responsible for four processes necessary for a successful AE mission. These include: 1) AE screening, including determination of appropriate classification, precedence, and special medical requirements; 2) validation; 3) medical preparation; and 4) clearance. Physicians responsible for preparing patients for AE need to understand both the patient evacuation system and the unique medical aspects associated with AE. The U.S. military patient evacuation system is comprised of three principal transportation phases: casualty evacuation; inter-theater AE; and intra-theater AE. Important elements of the USAF AE system are patient movement requirements centers, the validating flight surgeon, aeromedical staging facilities, AE liaison teams, aeromedical crews, and critical care air transport (CCAT) teams. Important medical aspects unique to AE include the effects of flight physiology on medical conditions, oxygen limitations, and distinctive medication and supplies requirements.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Aviat Space Environ Med

ISSN

0095-6562

Publication Date

June 2006

Volume

77

Issue

6

Start / End Page

631 / 638

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Physiology
  • Physician's Role
  • Military Medicine
  • Humans
  • Clinical Competence
  • Air Ambulances
  • Aerospace Medicine
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
  • 1116 Medical Physiology
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Hurd, W. W., Montminy, R. J., De Lorenzo, R. A., Burd, L. T., Goldman, B. S., & Loftus, T. J. (2006). Physician roles in aeromedical evacuation: current practices in USAF operations. Aviat Space Environ Med, 77(6), 631–638.
Hurd, William W., Richard J. Montminy, Robert A. De Lorenzo, Lawrence T. Burd, Brad S. Goldman, and Thomas J. Loftus. “Physician roles in aeromedical evacuation: current practices in USAF operations.Aviat Space Environ Med 77, no. 6 (June 2006): 631–38.
Hurd WW, Montminy RJ, De Lorenzo RA, Burd LT, Goldman BS, Loftus TJ. Physician roles in aeromedical evacuation: current practices in USAF operations. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2006 Jun;77(6):631–8.
Hurd, William W., et al. “Physician roles in aeromedical evacuation: current practices in USAF operations.Aviat Space Environ Med, vol. 77, no. 6, June 2006, pp. 631–38.
Hurd WW, Montminy RJ, De Lorenzo RA, Burd LT, Goldman BS, Loftus TJ. Physician roles in aeromedical evacuation: current practices in USAF operations. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2006 Jun;77(6):631–638.

Published In

Aviat Space Environ Med

ISSN

0095-6562

Publication Date

June 2006

Volume

77

Issue

6

Start / End Page

631 / 638

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Physiology
  • Physician's Role
  • Military Medicine
  • Humans
  • Clinical Competence
  • Air Ambulances
  • Aerospace Medicine
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
  • 1116 Medical Physiology