Safety Question( isolette )?

[RichM19104@aol.com]

Well over 50% of our unloads are 'Hot". The unloads are most apt to be "Cold" 
with neonate isolette patients, balloon pump patients & many ICU patients 
(multiple IV's & such).

The more experienced the crew around the helicopter, the "safer" the 
situation is.  Our policy is for cold loads/unloads of nonstandard patients. 
The "Hot Load/Unload" issue is program specific. Certainly, isolette calls in 
our program are nonstandard, just by the number of calls we do.  I opt for 
cold ops for isolette and IABP due to of all the gadgetry & weight involved.  
I don't think I've ever considered the cost issue when it comes to this.  

The majority (standard) of our "Hot" unloads are trauma patients, though a 
good amount are also ICU patients.  If a fuel flight is required subsequent 
to the medical flight, we will often unload "Hot" if it is a standard 
patient.  I cannot remember modifying our ops for a start cycle concern, 
rather the most appropriate unload/load (risk balance) for the safety vs. 
time issue.  

Rich Magner
Rocky Mountain Helicopters
Hartford Hospital - Life Star
NEMSPA - Treasurer

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Flightmed:
To unsubscribe, send e-mail to: flightmed-unsubscribe@flightweb.com
For additional commands, e-mail: flightmed-help@flightweb.com