Re: High Risk OB dilemna

["kevin bleasdale" <kevin.bleasdale@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu>]

 I absolutely agree with Pam. When we used to fly a BO-105, our program
policy stated that NO high-risk OB patients were to be flown in the 105. I
would certainly characterise a 26 week GA pre-term labor primigravida with
10cm of dilation and bulging membranes as high-risk. We did have the luxury
of having a BK-117 as our second ship, so we had alternate options.
However, even in the event that the BK was unavailable, I would not
transport any high-risk OB patient in our 105 - there's just no way to
access both patients while in flight. Another issue is the replacement of
my regular partner with an untrained/unfamiliar partner who is not a flight
nurse. Granted, L & D nurses have invaluable experience in their arena of
expertise, but as they would be unfamiliar with both the aircraft
environment and the medical equipment/bags, they probably would be less
help than someone who is familiar with both. We fly second-year ED
residents as an optional part of their ED residency training, and while
there is no denying that they have more training than a flight nurse with
one year of experience, I would much rather have a one year flight nurse
than the resident.

Kevin Bleasdale RN
Flight Nurse
UC Davis Medical Center
Life Flight Program


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