Re: Helicopter risk/benefit

["Bruce Bowling" <caduceus@bellsouth.net>]

An additional thought on this issue.

Have you arrived at the bedside, and found a patient that had no idea that a
helicopter had been called for their transport?  I have had this happen many
times in the past.

A transfer form is thrust into their hands, and they are told that this is
for their permission to be transported to another facility.  Most patients
do not see the box that is checked "air medical transport".  They assume
they are going by ambulance until they see the flight crew at their bedside.

One other issue.  Have you ever seen a patient sedated into submission for
air transport?  This seems to be a favorite physician tactic in our area.  I
have seen several occasions where I was told that the patient did not want
to fly, so they gave them "xxx of ativan, etc."  While the patient can no
longer be their own advocate in this area, their wishes were made clear
prior to their sedation.

Just some food for thought.  I'm sure this never happens in your part of the
country.  NOT!

Bruce Bowling
Mt. Sterling, KY


> Have you ever been in the situation (I'm sure you all have) where the
patient
> makes it clear that he/she does not want to fly but the sending MD calls
you
> anyway thinking the flight crew "will change the patient's mind or talk
them
> into it " or it becomes "their" issue?  The fact that the patient told the
> sending facility he or she did not want to fly prior to you being called,
is
> only made clear to you once you have already arrived and made Pt contact.
>
>


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