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Ambarwati D, Warsini S, Hapsara S, Haryanti F. Experiences and perceptions of nurses and air ambulance service providers in carrying out aeromedical evacuations in Indonesia: A qualitative research. BELITUNG NURSING JOURNAL 2024; 10:176-184. [PMID: 38690299 PMCID: PMC11056830 DOI: 10.33546/bnj.3232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Basic non-military flight nurse training is essential for enhancing nurses' competency in conducting aeromedical evacuations. Trained nurses possessing flight nurse proficiency are indispensable for ensuring stable patient conditions amidst the unique physical, physiological, and psychological challenges encountered during flights. Objective This study aimed to describe the experiences and perceptions of nurses and air ambulance service providers regarding aeromedical evacuations. Methods This study employed a qualitative descriptive design. Data were gathered from February to July 2023 through semi-structured online interviews with seven nurses and air ambulance service providers engaged in aeromedical evacuation. Content analysis was utilized to interpret the interview data. Results Seven themes were generated: 1) Experiences in aeromedical evacuation experiences, 2) Challenges faced by nurses and air ambulance service providers during aeromedical evacuations, 3) Essential knowledge for nurses involved in aeromedical evacuations, 4) Efforts to improve nurses' knowledge and skills, 5) Leveling of flight nurse training, 6) Flight nurse training methods, and 7) Flight nurse training evaluation strategies. Conclusion Nurses and air ambulance service providers acknowledge the significant influence of the flight environment on changes in patient conditions during aeromedical evacuations. To effectively manage alterations in patient conditions during flights, healthcare workers equipped with aviation health competency are imperative. One approach to enhancing the competency of healthcare workers is through flight nurse training. The findings from this study serve as a valuable resource for policymakers and health-related institutions endeavoring to formulate aeromedical evacuation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dwi Ambarwati
- Doctoral Program, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Sri Warsini
- Department of Mental Health and Community Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Sunartini Hapsara
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Fitri Haryanti
- Department of Child and Maternity Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
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Arnaud FG, Haque LA, Barkei ME, Morris ME, Hubbell JN, Coschigano N, Gosztyla LC, Malone CDL, Scultetus AH. Effects of sequential aeromedical evacuations following traumatic brain injury in swine. Injury 2022; 53:3596-3604. [PMID: 36163203 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) represent a significant percentage of critical injuries in military conflicts. Following injury, wounded warfighters are often subjected to multiple aeromedical evacuations (AE) and associated hypobaria, yet the impact in TBI patients remains to be characterized. This study evaluated the impact of two consecutive simulated AEs in a fluid-percussion TBI model in swine to characterize these effects. METHODS Following instrumentation, anesthetized Yorkshire swine underwent a frontal TBI via fluid-percussion. A hypobaric chamber was then used to simulate AE at simulated cabin pressure equivalent to 8000ft (hypobaria) in a 6 h initial flight on day 3, followed by a 9 h flight on day 6, and were monitored for 14 days. Animals in the normobaria group were subjected to the same steps at sea level while Sham animals in both groups were instrumented but not injured. Parameters measured included physiologic response, intracranial pressure (ICP), hematology, chemistry, and serum cytokines. Histopathology of brain, lung, intestine, and kidney was performed, as well as fluorojade staining to evaluate neurodegeneration. All animals were divided into sub-groups by block randomization utilizing a 2-way ANOVA to analyze independent variables. RESULTS Survival was 100% in all groups. Physiologic parameters were largely similar across groups as well during both 6 and 9 h AE. Animals exposed to hypobaria in both the TBI and Sham groups had elevated heart rate (HR) during the 6 h flight (p<0.05). Three animals in the TBI hypo group demonstrated leukocytosis with histologic evidence of meningeal inflammatory response. Expression of serum cytokines was low across all groups. No significant neuronal degeneration was identified in areas away from the site of injury. CONCLUSION Aeromedical evacuation in swine was not associated with significant differences in physiologic measures, cytokine expression or levels of neuronal degeneration. Histological examination revealed higher risk of meningeal inflammatory response and leucocytosis in swine exposed to hypobaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francoise G Arnaud
- En Route and Critical Care Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA; Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA; The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lt Ashraful Haque
- En Route and Critical Care Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA; The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Maj Erica Barkei
- Veterinary Pathology Services, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Maj Erin Morris
- Veterinary Pathology Services, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Jordan N Hubbell
- En Route and Critical Care Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA; The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA; Parsons Corporation, Centreville, VA, USA
| | - Natalie Coschigano
- En Route and Critical Care Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA; The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA; Parsons Corporation, Centreville, VA, USA
| | - Lcdr Carolyn Gosztyla
- En Route and Critical Care Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA; Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA; Department of Surgery, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Col Debra L Malone
- En Route and Critical Care Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA; Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA; Department of Surgery, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anke H Scultetus
- En Route and Critical Care Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA; Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA; Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Brain Trauma Neuroprotection Branch, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
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