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Biomedical subjects

Bryan E Bledsoe

Publications and source records attributed to Bryan E Bledsoe.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Helicopter scene transport of trauma patients with nonlife-threatening injuries: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Helicopters have become a major part of the modern trauma care system and are frequently used to transport patients from the scene of their injury to a trauma center. While early studies reported decreased mortality for trauma patients transported by helicopters when compared with those transported by ground ambulances, more recent research has questioned the benefit of helicopter transport of trauma patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the percentage of patients transported by helicopter who have nonlife-threatening injuries. METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed on peer-review research on helicopter utilization. The inclusion criteria were all studies that evaluated trauma patients transported by helicopter from the scene of their injury to a trauma center with baseline parameters defined by Injury Severity Score (ISS), Trauma Score (TS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS), and the likelihood of survival as determined via Trauma Score-Injury Severity Score (TRISS) methodology. RESULTS: There were 22 studies comprising 37,350 patients that met the inclusion criteria. According to the ISS, 60.0% [99% confidence interval (CI): 54.5-64.8] of patients had minor injuries, According to the TS, 61.4% (99% CI: 60.8-62.0) of patients had minor injuries. According to TRISS methodology, 69.3% (99% CI: 58.5-80.2) of patients had a greater than 90% chance of survival and thus nonlife-threatening injuries. There were 25.8% (99% CI: -1.0-52.6) of patients discharged within 24 hours after arrival at the trauma center. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of trauma patients transported from the scene by helicopter have nonlife-threatening injuries. Efforts to more accurately identify those patients who would benefit most from helicopter transport from the accident scene to the trauma center are needed to reduce helicopter overutilization.

Air Ambulances↗
PubMed2004

Medical helicopter accidents in the United States: a 10-year review.

OBJECTIVE: There has been a significant proliferation of medical helicopters and medical helicopter operations in the United States over the last decade. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the proliferation of medical helicopter operations in the United States was associated with a subsequent increase in the number of accidents METHODS: We used univariate descriptive analysis of all pertinent medical accident files obtained from United States aviation databases for a 10-year period (1993-2002). RESULTS: There were 84 medical helicopter accidents involving 260 persons (passengers, patients, crew, and pilots) during the 10-year study period. Of these, there were 72 fatalities and 64 injuries. The incidence of fatalities was 0.86 fatalities per accident. The incidence of nonfatal injuries was 0.76 per accident. Fifty-two percent of all reported accidents occurred during the last 3 years of the study period (2000-2002). CONCLUSION: There was a steady and marked increase in the number of medical helicopter accidents in the United States during the 10-year period (1993-2002). These findings are worrisome in light of recent research that has indicated use of medical helicopters may be excessive and nonbeneficial for most patients.

Accidents, Aviation↗
PubMed2003

Searching for the evidence behind EMS.

This is an exciting time to be involved in EMS. EMTs and paramedics can derive a great deal of satisfaction by assuring that they have offered their patients the best care available, based not only on their personal expertise, but also on ample external scientific evidence. EBM is a sound and fairly simple way to merge the two. Take your prehospital practice to the next level--give evidence-based medicine a try.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation↗
PubMed2003

Disorders of temperature regulation: prehospital implications.

Humans are warm-blooded mammals and must maintain a constant internal temperature. Body temperature is controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain, with input from sensory receptors throughout the body. At any given time, body temperature is a function of heat production and heat loss. Temperature-regulation problems can result in several conditions. These include fever, hyperthermia and hypothermia. EMTs and paramedics must be familiar with the physiological and pathophysiological processes resulting from these disorders. By close observation of the patient, it should be fairly easy to determine which underlying processes are causing the observed signs and symptoms. With this knowledge, you can provide competent, compassionate prehospital care.

Body Temperature Regulation↗