Air Ambulances in New Mexico – How Can They Aid to Be Your Savior and Help Ease the Future of Medication?

The standardization of the ambulance equipment took place almost four decades ago. COT or the Committee on Trauma of ACS or the American College of Surgeons developed it in 1988.

Revision made in 2005 by all the stakeholders ACS COT, ACEP or the American College of Emergency Physicians, and NAEMSP or the National Association of EMS Physicians directs all the needs of the emergency ambulance services both in the United States and Canada.

Air ambulances are rapidly growing and are also following similar guidelines. The number of people opting for such airlift options in emergencies is on the rise in New Mexico. We look a little deeper into the details of the air ambulances and how it is shaping the future of mediation.

Equipment and Facilities

The growth of the air ambulance services has led the services providers in this domain to subscribe to technical and medical equipment that meet the highest levels of International Standards.

These air ambulance companies in New Mexico are maintaining superior medical equipment and supplies. Before every transport, they follow a strict check-up and testing of all the equipment. A thorough examination of the inventory and its maintenance ensures that their clients get the highest levels of service every time.

The life support intensive care base units can have:

Patient loading system
Oxygen, Oxygen regulators gauges, tubing, and masks
State of the Art transport Ventilator
Emergency Drugs & Kit
Defibrillator with external Cardiac Pacemaker
Glucometer
Infusion Pumps
Fiber optic bronchoscope
Oxygen Hood for Pediatrics patient
Transport Incubator
Oxygen Tank
Nebulizer machine
Suction Machine
Vacuum Mattress
Multi-Parameter Transport Monitor
Spin board with Headend immobilizer

The above guideline is for intensive care air ambulances. However, the equipment can vary based on the type of certification and the geographic conditions of the region of New Mexico that the air ambulance is catering to.

BLS and ALS Ambulances

Another crucial factor to note is the classification of the ambulances based on their utility. The air ambulances are classified into two heads –

Basic life support (BLS)
Advanced life support (ALS)

Depending on the type of air ambulance the equipment and supplies can vary. The formulation of the lists happens after reaching a consensus among the experts to provide the best possible patient care in the out-of-hospital setting.

The Basic Life Support (BLS ) Air Ambulances can have the following equipment:

Suction apparatus that can be portable and fixed with a regulator. It follows the KKK-A-1822F Federal specifications. The suction catheters are flexible and tonsillar. They can be between the commercially available 6F–16F. The tubing can have a rigid pharyngeal curved suction tip and wide-boring.
Saline drops and bulb suction for infants
Portable oxygen apparatus, capable of metered flow with adequate tubing
Pulse oximeter with pediatric and adult probes
Portable and fixed oxygen supply equipment with variable flow regulator
Nasopharyngeal and Oropharyngeal airways. The various recommended sizes depending on the type of patient can be present.
Oxygen administration equipment with the transparent mask, adequate length tubing, nasal cannulas, and both non-rebreathing and valveless
Bag-valve mask or manual resuscitator that can have a hand-operated, self-re-expanding bag and mask.

The Advanced Life Support (ALS) Air Ambulances can have the following equipment:

FAA Approved Stretcher System on Board
Emergency Drug Box
Cardiac Monitors, ECG, invasive and non-invasive blood pressure
Clean Linens, Blankets, and Pillows
Defibrillators
Blood Pressure Cuffs
IV Pumps & Solutions
Mask Resuscitators
Oxygen supplies, regulators, and gauges
Hand Operated Bag-Valve
Oropharyngeal Airways
Pulse Oximeter
Respirator / Ventilator
Intubations Equipment
Portable Suction Units
Pulse Oximeter

Before the scheduled flights, the flight nurse under the supervision of the Chief flight nurse ensures that all the equipment goes through checks and inventory is properly maintained.

Additional equipment can aid in the event of air transport of a child. It will require opting for the services of a New Mexico Pediatric and Neonatal Air Ambulance transport.

The Staff

The medical staff on board an air ambulance can be a combination of Paramedic or Nurse, Physician or Nurse, Nurse or Nurse. The evidence-based applications concerning the care administered by the nurses and protocols have led to a reduction in the usage of Physician or Nurse combinations. However, this has led to the inclusion of respiratory therapists in all the modes of air ambulances.

Flight Paramedic

A certified flight paramedic (FP-C) has additional training as compared to a licensed paramedic. They have a highly experienced career path with more than five years of autonomous clinical experience. It is generally for both pre-hospital emergency medicine and critical care transport.

Flight Nurse

A member of the aeromedical evacuation crew on helicopters and airplanes and a nurse specialized in patient transport in the aviation environment. They can get certifications in Critical Care (CCRN), Flight Nursing (CFRN), and Emergency Nursing (CEN).

Transport Respiratory Practitioner

A respiratory therapist or a trained respiratory practitioner aid in long-distance transports and provide care during the short transfers. They can get certifications from the National Board for Respiratory Care.

Therefore, the air ambulance can be a crucial help for the patients who need urgent care. The inclusion of the specialized units and experienced staff can help all those in need. The increasing expertise and regulatory guidelines and demand is leading to the rapid growth of this industry.