Air Transfer of Patients with Lobectomy

[Amy Richardson-Ochle]

I would watch for s/sx of tension, make sure drain (assuming it is a chest  tube?) stays patent, and be aware that the patient may need higher concentration of O2, and may increase respiratory rate in transit.  I have transported pts just like this in an EC135 without incident.  Good luck and fly safe.

Amy R. Ochle, RN
 

> Date: Mon, 6 Apr 2009 19:26:04 +0300

> Subject: Re: Air Transfer of Patients with Lobectomy

> From: rescuemedic at gmail.com

> To: flightmed at flightweb.com

> 

> Thank you all for your kind inputs.

> 

> 55 y/o male undergoes right sided pulmonary lobectomy 20 days ago due to CA.

> A drain was reinserted 4 days ago due to infection developed. Patient wants

> to continue at a hospital near home.

> 

> 1 hour and 45 minutes of transport time is expected. Patient breathing

> spontaneously, needs O2 via nasal cannula.

> 

> Starting altitude is about 2,000 feet, with a total of 5,000 feet of gain

> expected in transit.

> 

> 

> Gurkan Ozel, CCEMT-P

> Ankara, Turkey

> 

> 

> 

> 

> >

> > Date: Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:55:50 -0400

> > From: davidk8084 at aol.com

> > Subject: Re: Air Transfer of Patients with Lobectomy

> > To: flightmed at flightweb.com

> > Message-ID: <8CB84DEE8D34456-888-2F8 at webmail-de15.sysops.aol.com>

> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

> >

> >

> > A few questions:

> >

> > What kind of lobectomy are you talking about? Pulmonary or cerebral?

> >

> > What is the starting altitude? The absolute isn't as important as the total

> > change.

> >

> > How long ago? Is any kind of vent or drain in place?

> >

> > If pulmonary, is the patient mechanically ventilated? This just requires

> > more vigilant observation.

> >

> > David Kearns

> > Flight For Life Colorado

> >

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