Rural Emergency Medicine Podcast Episode 3: The Difficult Transport
Oct 17, 2017
Explore the intricacies of patient transport in rural healthcare, where adverse weather and limited resources complicate emergency responses. Hear about challenging cases, like a 72-year-old with chest pain and a young girl battling severe lupus, emphasizing the importance of communication and documentation. Discover insights into handling complex conditions like STEMI and acute kidney injury. Each story highlights the need for teamwork and critical thinking in urgent medical situations, showcasing the unique challenges faced by rural emergency services.
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Complex STEMI Case in Rural ED
- A 72-year-old man with STEMI, atrial fibrillation, and on Coumadin presented in a rural ED.
- He had complex comorbidities including an ascending aortic aneurysm and atrial thrombus.
Challenges in Rural Patient Transport
- Transport options were limited due to weather grounding helicopters and no critical care paramedics available locally.
- The patient was transferred by fixed wing plane after complicated coordination with EMS and pilot.
Choose Appropriate Transfer Teams
- Always prioritize patient safety by selecting appropriate transport teams with critical care training for unstable patients.
- Avoid sending unstable patients with untrained EMS crews even if it means using less conventional transport like fixed wing planes.