Performance of aeromedical crewmembers: training or experience?
In a clinical trial testing delivery of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency cardiac care (ECC) in a medical helicopter, 40-45% of physicians, nurses, and paramedics certified in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) performed below standard as compared with full-time flight nurses and paramedics. Personnel regularly engaged in aeromedical activities perform far better than those similarly qualified but less familiar with the aviation environment. Because regular ACLS techniques apply during air transport, training, comfort, experience, and confidence are critical factors in crew performance and may affect outcome. The ideal crew should include regular partners who train and work together. The temptation to assign personnel to aeromedical duties without adequate preparation, testing, and commitment must be resisted. Those responsible for the medical direction of hospital-based helicopter services should insist on full-time crew members and provide them with liberal training opportunities and opportunities for skill maintenance.
D000401:Aircraft; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000592:standards; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000592:standards*; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D011897:Random Allocation; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000592:standards*; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States