Critical Care Air Medical Operations Exam Questions and Answers

Contraindications to Air Medical Transport - Answer- Severe Anemia, Hemoglobinopathy, MI within 10 days or complications in 5 days before flight, uncontrolled arrythmia, pregnancies past 24 weeks gestation, recent eye surgery affecting the globe, nonacute hypovolemia Benefits to Air Medical Transport - Answer- Decreased mortality rates, access to more specialized tertiary care, rapid access to healthcare system CAMTS - Answer- Program dedicated to ensuring high quality patient care and safety Sterile Cockpit - Answer- No communications with anybody in the helicopter unless necessary to safety of flight under 10000' Visual Flight Rules - Answer- Used in good weather conditions, can be performed without air traffic control Instrumental Flight Rules - Answer- Used in poor cloud clearance and visibility, requires ATC clearance for takeoff and constant contact, used mainly by fixed-wing aircraft, used mainly by fixed wing aircraft Flight Following - Answer- Flight crew should be in constant contact with ATC throughout flight , GPS tracks chopper throughout flight VFR Communications - Answer- Helicopter: Max 15 mins between comms, Fixed Wing: Max 30 mins between comms, Ground Unit: Max 45 mins between comms Advantages of rotor-wing - Answer- Vertical takeoff and landing allows access to otherwise inaccessible locations, sustained speeds of 150 mph, operates at altitudes of less than 2,000', ability to move point to point, Disadvantages of rotor-wing - Answer- Weather limitations, interior space limitations, subject to weight limitations Advantages of Fixed-Wing Transport - Answer- Attains high speeds (250-600 mph), safer than rotor wing, ability to travel greater distances Disadvantages of Fixed-Wing Transport - Answer- Expensive, requires maintained runways, requires hangers Benefits of Air Medical Transport - Answer- Access to trauma centers, rural areas need it for long-distance transport, provides specialty care, can make mass-casualty events easier for hospitals to handle Errors in requesting air medical transport - Answer- Requesting when CA is imminent, if hospital would be closer by ground, or if more suitable transport could clearly be utilized Passive Monitoring - Answer- Only talk to pilot about operations of aircraft if level of skill is below safe standard AAMS - Answer- Established program in 2005 to reform HEMS safety procedures