Care in the air: bringing the wounded closer to home.
Aeromedical evacuation (AE) is a system within the Air Force to provide patient care in the air during transport between levels of care. The system predominantly uses guard and reserve flight crew members who are arranged into rotations. However, when a need arises because of heavy influx of sick and wounded, the activation of crew members comes with short notice. This article presents my experiences flying AE in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom.
Cornelius
Melinda
M
Department of Plastic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center North, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. melinda.cornelius@vanderbilt.edu
D000337:Aerospace Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017732:Air Ambulances; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008888:Military Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008889:Military Personnel; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000451:nursing*; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States