RE: 24 hour shift

["barb murphy" <bmurphrn@wilstream.net>]

Our program has 24 hour shifts, we also have 5 helicopters and separate
sleeping quarters where we can nap as needed between flights....The other
"safety device" is an on-call flight nurse and medic that can be used if the
medical crew cries uncle.

I believe that in reference to the pilots, it is not us, but the FAA that
made that rule.  The rule is not specific to helicopter pilots, who may
sleep all of their 12 hour shift, but made to protect the public from having
a pilot who may have flown 12-14 hrs straight.

I agree that safety is paramount in our business, however if systems are in
place to protect the patient and the crew, it seems to work for the schedule
and the patient.

-----Original Message-----
From: flightmed-admin@flightweb.com
[mailto:flightmed-admin@flightweb.com]On Behalf Of Helodoc@aol.com
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2002 7:18 PM
To: flightmed@flightweb.com
Subject: Re: 24 hour shift


As I have said many times, 24 hour shifts may be wonderful for having days
off, but they have the potential to harm patients.  Unless your system has
multiple aircraft so that there can be a guaranteed rest period then I
cannot
see how you can assure good patient care.

Why should we feel that 24 hours is a safe shift when we make sure the
pilots
work no more than 14?  Is patient care any less demanding or complex than
piloting?

Dave Thomson

David P. Thomson, MS, MD, FACEP
Associate Professor
Director, Transport Medicine
Medical Director, Telemedicine
Department of Emergency Medicine
SUNY Upstate Medical University
750 E. Adams St.
Syracuse, NY 13210
315.464.6219 voice
315.464.6220 fax

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