Re: MDs for field amputations/abgl-response

[Robert Berger <firefly412@blomand.net>]

Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, TN along with Hamilton County EMS
and Life Force Air Medical provide those services you describe. We have
protocols in place for activation and personnel on 24 hour call, for such
precarious situations. Please see the link below for further info on this
"EMRRT".

http://lzontheweb.com/CMC/newsletter/page3.html

You may contact the Trauma Services Department at Erlanger Health System for
further info.

R. Berger
Life Force Air Medical




----- Original Message -----
From: David Steele <DSTEELE1@mn.rr.com>
To: <flightmed@flightweb.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2002 10:01 PM
Subject: Re: MDs for field amputations/abgl-response


> The last amputation that was done on our freeway system was done I believe
> with a standard hacksaw by an ED doc.  The accident was a few minutes away
> from the level one trauma center.  The first doc on the scene was to big
to
> get into the compartment so they had to get the smallest doc on duty to go
> to the scene...
>
> Now I am in no way advocating training to do amputations in the field.  It
> would be one of those procedures that you wouldn't do enough of to stay
> current in.  However I don't believe by going to med school qualifies you
to
> do a amputation either.  I have always said you could train anyone to do
> procedures in our industry and this isn't any different.  We could be
> trained to do this.  It would be an emergent procedure, Life saving
> procedure, you surely wouldn't worry about your stump closure..  Who do
you
> think did them during Vietnam??  talk with some of those hero's in the
> field.  I can guarantee you they weren't physicians...
>
> So now that we know we can do them..  should we.....  Again..  I think it
> boils down to can you stay current in the procedure..  or in your training
> and what is the industry standard.  I don't think you probably could stay
> current, nor is the industry standard to let aeromedical crews (RN,Medics)
> do amputations in fields (that I am aware of).
>
> Now to the question.
>
> We don't have a procedure at our program either.  I am also sure it would
be
> a goat rope (new term for me)..  We probably would fly to one of our level
1
> trauma centers and pick up a ED doc a minute away (airport based service)
> and proceed to scene.  They would be responsible to bring their own
> craftsman tools.
>
> David Steele
> email   dsteele1@mn.rr.com
>
>
>
>
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