Experience of physician and nurse specialists in Sweden undertaking long distance aeromedical transportation of critically ill patients: A qualitative study.
International Emergency Nursing · 2018-12-21 · Qualitative study
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Transportation of critically ill patients, intra- or inter-hospital, always involves risks when resources are limited. With aeromedical transports, additional risk factors are incurred. The physiological effects of altitude, when both pressure and density decline, can lead to hypobaric hypoxia and gases trapped in body cavities will expand and cause stress on biological tissue. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of nurse and physician specialists in Sweden undertaking long distance aeromedical transport of critically ill patients, with a flight time of more than two hours. METHOD: A qualitative approach with a descriptive design. Thirteen recorded semi-structured interviews with physician and nurse specialists were analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: One overall theme emerged, To be one step ahead to ensure patient safety in the air; with three categories 1) With the patient in focus, 2) To be part of a team and concerned about patient safety and 3) To be in need of recovery. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the challenges with long distance aeromedical transport of critically ill patients. The healthcare personnel make decisions and actions to be one step ahead to ensure patient safety. This isolated work is improved with experience, education, training and good communication skills.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via PubMed. Reuse and removal
Tags
Helicopter & air ambulance · Ambulance & prehospital nurses · Clinician perspective · Communication & handover · Interfacility & critical care transport · Prehospital physicians · Teamwork & human factors
Related articles
- Flight Nurses' Experiences With Interhospital Transportation of Critically Ill Patients. (J Clin Nurs, 2026)
- Critical care nurses' experiences of helicopter transfers. (Nurs Crit Care, 2015)
- Fatigue in Air Medical Clinicians Undertaking High-acuity Patient Transports. (Prehosp Emerg Care, 2015)
- Patient transportation in Canada's northern territories: patterns, costs and providers' perspectives. (Rural Remote Health, 2019)
- [Flight nurses' comprehension about their role in the multiprofesional team of aero-medical transport]. (Rev Bras Enferm, 2012)
- Expectations of patients, nurses and physicians in geriatric nursing home emergencies. (Emerg Med J, 2011)