AEROMEDICAL EVACUATION: ROLES OF FLIGHT NURSES IN CRITICAL CARE TO PATIENTS ON AEROMEDICAL TRANSPORT

Abstract

Aeromedical evacuation is an efficient and rapid method of transferring patients, aimed at reducing injury, disability, and mortality rates. It provides patients with the opportunity to receive treatment at healthcare facilities with advanced capabilities. The flight nurses who per-form nursing duties during aeromedical evacuation must have knowledge and understanding of the principles of aeromedical evacuation such as flight physiology, pre-flight assessment, medical team and aeromedical equipment, and truly have expertise in caring for critical patients on board both before and during the transport. This will help the patients to be transferred to the hospital quickly and safely, shortening the time for transportation and less severely affect the patients.

This article presents the flight nurse’s roles in the aircraft and it is a guideline for personnel development in preparation for taking care of patients. This will greatly reduce the death and injured rates before admit to the hospital.