Aeromedical Evacuation: Management of Acute and Stabilized Patients

AEROMEDICAL EVACUATION: MANAGEMENT OF THE ACUTE AND STABILIZIED PATIENT is the definitive treatment on the medical evacuation and management of injured patients in both peacetime and wartime. Edited by eminent experts in the field, this text brings together medical specialists from across all four branches of the armed services. The post-Cold War paradigm shift necessitates the rapid-fire response of aeromedical evacuation services to treat and transport patients injured in regional conflicts, in mass emergencies and natural disasters, in the face of terrorist attack, and in the event of biological or chemical warfare. The book discusses the history of aeromedical evacuation, triage and staging of the injured patient, evacuation from site of injury to medical facility, air-frame capabilities, medical capabilities in- flight, response to in-flight emergencies, and mass emergency evacuation. Specific medical conditions are addressed in detail in the second half of the book, including general surgical casualties such as abdominal wounds and soft tissue injuries, vascular injuries, maxillofacial injuries, head and spinal cord injuries, ophthalmologic casualties, orthopaedic casualties, burns, pediatric casualties, obstetric-gynecologic casualties, and more. Over 80 illustrations provide a useful review of transport equipment and both medical and surgical treatment. Algorithms outline patient triage and management from the field or site to the medical facility. This text is a must-have reference for all armed forced physicians and flight surgeons, for general and trauma surgeons, internists, intensive care specialists, orthopaedic surgeons, and public health service physicians.