Management of Combat Casualties during Aeromedical Evacuation from a Role 2 to a Role 3 Medical Facility.

INTRODUCTION: Emergent clinical care and patient movements through the military evacuation system improves survival. Patient management differs when transporting from the point-of-injury (POI) to the first medical treatment facility (MTF) versus transporting from the Role 2 to the Role 3 MTF secondary to care rendered within the MTF, including surgery and advanced resuscitation. The objective of this study was to describe care provided to patients during theater inter-facility transports and compare with pre-hospital transports (POI to first MTF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with the Role 2 to the Role 3 transports in Afghanistan and Iraq from 2007 to 2016. Data collected included procedures and events at the MTF and during transport. We compared the intra-theater transport data (Role 2 to Role 3) to data from a previous study evaluating pre-hospiital transports (POI to first MTF). RESULTS: We reviewed the records of 869 Role 2 to Role 3 transport patients. Role 2 to Role 3 transports were longer in duration compared to POI transports (39 minutes vs. 23 minutes) and were more likely to be staffed by advanced personnel (nurses, physician assistants, and physicians) (57% vs. 3%). The sample primarily consisted of military-aged males (mean age 27 years) who suffered from explosive or blunt force injuries. Procedures performed during each phase of care reflected the capabilities of the teams and locations. Pain and cardiac events were more common in POI evacuations compared to the Role 2 to Role 3 transports, but documentation of respiratory events, hemodynamic events, neurologic events, and equipment failure was more common during the Role 2 to Role 3 transports. Survival rates were slightly higher among the Role 2 to Role 3 cohort (98% vs. 95%, difference 3% [95% confidence interval of the difference 1-5%]). CONCLUSIONS: Inter-facility transports (Role 2 to Role 3) are longer in duration, transport more complex patients, and are staffed by more advanced level provider types compared to transports from POI.

Improved Adherence to Best Practice Ventilation Management After Implementation of Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for United States Military Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATTs).

BACKGROUND: Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATTs) play a vital role in the transport and care of critically ill and injured patients in the combat theater to include mechanically ventilated patients. Previous research has demonstrated improved morbidity and mortality when lung protective ventilation strategies are used. Our previous study of CCATT trauma patients demonstrated frequent non-adherence to the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network (ARDSNet) protocol and a corresponding association with increased mortality. The goals of our study were to examine CCATT adherence with ARDSNet guidelines in non-trauma patients, compare the findings to our previous publication of CCATT trauma patients, and evaluate adherence before and after the publication of the CCATT Ventilator Management Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG). METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of ventilated non-trauma patients who were evacuated out of theater by Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATT) between January 2007 and April 2015. Data abstractors collected flight information, oxygenation status, ventilator settings, procedures, and in-flight assessments. We calculated descriptive statistics to determine the frequency of compliance with the ARDSNet protocol before and after the CCATT Ventilator CPG publication and the association between ARDSNet protocol adherence and in-flight events. RESULTS: We reviewed the charts of 124 mechanically ventilated patients transported out of theater via CCATT on volume control settings. Seventy percent (n = 87/124) of records were determined to be Non-Adherent to ARDSNet recommendations predominately due to excessive tidal volume settings and/or high FiO2 settings relative to the patient's positive end-expiratory pressure setting. The Non-Adherent group had a higher proportion of in-flight respiratory events. Compared to our previous study of ventilation guideline adherence in the trauma population, the Non-Trauma population had a higher rate of non-adherence to tidal volume and ARDSNet table recommendations (75.6% vs. 61.5%). After the CPG was rolled out, adherence improved from 24% to 41% (P = 0.0496). CONCLUSIONS: CCATTs had low adherence with the ARDSNet guidelines in non-trauma patients transported out of the combat theater, but implementation of a Ventilator Management CPG was associated with improved adherence.

Efficacy of a single-day task trainer-based extracorporeal membrane oxygenation training course.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an advanced medical technology used to treat respiratory and heart failure. The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in significantly more ECMO patients worldwide. However, the number of hospitals with ECMO capabilities and ECMO-trained staff are limited. Training of personnel in ECMO could supplement this demand. Objective: To evaluate our previously developed ECMO course using a task trainer-based training, as opposed to an existing live tissue-training model, and determine if such a program was adequate and could be expanded to other facilities. Methods: Seventeen teams, each consisting of a physician and nurse, underwent a 5 hour accelerated ECMO course in which they watched prerecorded ECMO training lectures, primed circuit, cannulated, initiated ECMO, and corrected common complications. Training success was evaluated via knowledge and confidence assessments and observation of each team attempting to initiate ECMO while troubleshooting complications on a Yorkshire swine. Results: Seventeen teams successfully completed the course. Sixteen teams (94%, 95% CI = 71%-100%) successfully placed the swine on veno-arterial ECMO. Of those 16 teams, 15 successfully transitioned to veno-arterial-venous ECMO. The knowledge assessments and confidence levels of physicians and nurses increased by 24.3% from pretest (mean of 65.3%, SD 14.4%) to posttest (mean of 89.6%, SD 10.3%), p < 0.0001. Conclusions: An abbreviated one day lecture and hands-on task trainer-based ECMO course resulted in a high rate of successful skill demonstration and improvement of physicians' and nurses' knowledge assessments and confidence levels, similar to our previous live tissue training program.

Evacuation Strategies for U.S. Casualties with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with and without Polytrauma.

INTRODUCTION: According to the Military Health System Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Center of Excellence, 51,261 service members suffered moderate to severe TBI in the last 21 years. Moderate to severe TBI in service members is usually related to blast injury in combat operations, which necessitates medical evacuation to higher levels of care. Prevention of secondary insult, and mitigation of the unique challenges associated with the transport of TBI patients in a combat setting are important in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with this injury. The primary goal of this study was a secondary analysis comparing the impact of time to transport on clinical outcomes for TBI patients without polytrauma versus TBI patients with polytrauma transported out of the combat theater via Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATT). Our secondary objective was to describe the occurrence of in-flight events and interventions for TBI patients without polytrauma versus TBI with polytrauma to assist with mission planning for future transports. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort of 438 patients with TBI who were evacuated out of theater by CCATT from January 2007 to May 2014. Polytrauma was defined as abbreviated injury scale (AIS) of at least three to another region in addition to head/neck. Time to transport was defined as the time (in days) from injury to CCATT evacuation out of combat theater. We calculated descriptive statistics and examined the associations between time to transport and preflight characteristics, in-flight interventions and events, and clinical outcomes for TBI patients with and without polytrauma. RESULTS: We categorized patients into two groups, those who had a TBI without polytrauma (n = 179) and those with polytrauma (n = 259). Within each group, we further divided those that were transported within 1 day of injury, in 2 days, and 3 or more days. Patients with TBI without polytrauma transported in 1 or 2 days were more likely to have a penetrating injury, an open head injury, a preflight Glascow Coma Score (GCS) of 8 or lower, and be mechanically ventilated compared to those transported later. Patients without polytrauma who were evacuated in 1 or 2 days required more in-flight interventions compared to patients without polytrauma evacuated later. Patients with polytrauma who were transported in 2 days were more likely to receive blood products, and patients with polytrauma who were evacuated within 1 day were more likely to have had at least one episode of hypotension en route. Polytrauma patients who were evacuated in 2-3 days had higher hospital days compared to polytrauma with earlier evacuations. There was no significant difference in mortality between any of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with moderate to severe TBI transported via CCATT, early evacuation was associated with a higher rate of in-flight hypotension in polytrauma patients. Furthermore, those who had TBI without polytrauma that were evacuated in 1-2 days received more in-flight supplementary oxygen, blood products, sedatives, and paralytics. Given the importance of minimizing secondary insults in patients with TBI, recognizing this in this subset of the population may help systematize ways to minimize such events. Traumatic Brain Injury patients with polytrauma may benefit from further treatment and stabilization in theater prior to CCATT evacuation.

Characterization of Long-range Aeromedical Transport and Its Relationship to the Development of Traumatic Extremity Compartment Syndrome: A 7-year, Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Military aeromedical transport evacuates critically injured patients are for definitive care, including patients with or at risk for developing traumatic compartment syndrome of the extremities (tCSoE). Compartment pressure changes of the extremities have not been determined to be associated with factors inherent to aeromedical transport in animal models, but the influence of aeromedical evacuation (AE) transport on the timing of tCSoE development has not been studied in humans. Using a registry-based methodology, this study sought to characterize the temporal features of lower extremity compartment syndrome relative to the timing of transcontinental AE. With this approach, this study aims to inform practice in guidelines relating to the timing and possible effects of long-distance AE and the development of lower extremity compartment syndrome. Using patient care records, we sought to characterize the temporal features of tCSoE diagnosis relative to long-range aeromedical transport. In doing so, we aim to inform practice in guidelines relating to the timing and risks of long-range AE and postulate whether there is an ideal time to transport patients who are at risk for or with tCSoE. METHODS: We performed a retrospective record review of patients with a diagnosis of tCSoE who were evacuated out of theater from January 2007 to May 2014 via aeromedical transport. Data abstractors collected flight information, laboratory values, vital signs, procedures, in-flight assessments, and outcomes. We used the duration of time from injury to arrival at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) to represent time to transport. We compared groups based on time of tCSoE (inclusive of upper and lower extremity) diagnosis relative to injury day and time of transport (preflight versus postflight). We used descriptive statistics and multivariable regression models to determine the associations between time to transport, time to tCSoE diagnosis, and outcomes. RESULTS: Within our study window, 238 patients had documentation of tCSoE. We found that 47% of patients with tCSoE were diagnosed preflight and 53% were diagnosed postflight. Over 90% in both groups developed tCSoE within 48 hours of injury; the time to diagnosis was similar for casualties diagnosed pre- and postflight (P = .65). There was no association between time to arrival at LRMC and day of tCSoE diagnosis (risk ratio, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.96-1.16). CONCLUSION: The timing of tCSoE diagnosis is not associated with the timing of transport; therefore, AE likely does not influence the development of tCSoE.

Impact of a Standardized EMS Handoff Tool on Inpatient Medical Record Documentation at a Level I Trauma Center.

BACKGROUND: The emergency department (ED) poses challenges to effective handoff from emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to ED staff. Despite the importance of a complete and accurate patient handoff report between EMS and trauma staff, communication is often interrupted, incomplete, or otherwise ineffective. The Mechanism of injury/Medical Complaint, Injuries or Inspections head to toe, vital Signs, and Treatments (MIST) report initiative was implemented to standardize the handoff process. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether documentation of prehospital care in the inpatient medical record improved after MIST implementation. METHODS: Research staff abstracted data from the EMS and inpatient medical records of trauma patients transported by EMS and treated at a Level I trauma center from January 2015 through June 2017. Data included patient demographics, mechanism and location of injury, vital signs, treatments, and period of data collection (pre-MIST and post-MIST). We summarized the MIST elements in EMS and inpatient medical records and assessed the presence or absence of data elements in the inpatient record from the EMS record and the agreement between the two sets of records over time to determine if implementation of MIST improved documentation. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 533 trauma patients transported by EMS and treated in a Level I trauma center (pre-MIST: n = 281; post-MIST: n = 252). For mechanism of injury, agreement between the two records was ≥96% before and after MIST implementation. Cardiac arrest and location of injury were under-reported in the inpatient record before MIST; post-MIST, there were no significant discrepancies, indicating an improvement in reporting. Reporting of prehospital hypotension improved from 76.5% pre-MIST to 83.3% post-MIST. After MIST implementation, agreement between the EMS and inpatient records increased for the reporting of fluid administration (45.6% to 62.7%) and decreased for reporting of pain medications (72.2% to 61.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of the standardized MIST tool for EMS to hospital patient handoff was associated with a mixed value on inpatient documentation of prehospital events. After MIST implementation, agreement was higher for mechanism and location of injury and lower for vital signs and treatments. Further research can advance the prehospital to treatment facility handoff process.

Advancing Prehospital Combat Casualty Evacuation: Patients Amenable to Aeromedical Evacuation via Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

INTRODUCTION: The U.S. military currently utilizes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for reconnaissance and attack missions; however, as combat environment technology advances, there is the increasing likelihood of UAV utilization in prehospital aeromedical evacuation. Although some combat casualties require life-saving interventions (LSIs) during medical evacuation, many do not. Our objective was to describe patients transported from the point of injury to the first level of care and characterize differences between patients who received LSIs en route and those who did not. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of the records of traumatically injured patients evacuated between January 2011 and March 2014. We compared patient characteristics, complications, and outcomes based on whether they had an LSI performed en route (LSI vs. No LSI). We also constructed logistic regression models to determine which characteristics predict uneventful flights (no en route LSI or complications). RESULTS: We examined 1,267 patient records; 47% received an LSI en route. Most patients (72%) sustained a blast injury and injuries to the extremities and head. Over 78% experienced complications en route; the LSI group had higher rates of complications compared to the No LSI group. Logistic regression showed that having a blunt injury or the highest abbreviated injury scale (AIS) severity score in the head/neck region are significant predictors of having an uneventful flight. CONCLUSION: Approximately half of casualties evaluated in our study did not receive an LSI during transport and may have been transported safely by UAV. Having a blunt injury or the highest AIS severity score in the head/neck region significantly predicted an uneventful flight.

Development and Evaluation of An Abbreviated Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Course for Nonsurgical Physicians and Nurses.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a modification of cardiopulmonary bypass that allows prolonged support of patients with severe respiratory or cardiac failure. ECMO indications arse rapidly evolving and there is growing interest in its use for cardiac arrest and cardiogenic shock. However, ECMO training programs are limited. Training of emergency medicine and critical care clinicians could expand the use of this lifesaving intervention. Our objective was to develop and evaluate an abbreviated ECMO course that can be taught to emergency and critical care physicians and nurses. METHODS: We developed a training model using Yorkshire swine (Sus scrofa), a procedure instruction checklist, a confidence assessment, and a knowledge assessment. Participants were assigned to teams of one emergency medicine or critical care physician and one nurse and completed an abbreviated 8-hour ECMO course. An ECMO specialist trained participants on preparation of the ECMO circuit and oversaw vascular access and ECMO initiation. We used the instruction checklist to evaluate performance. Participants completed confidence and knowledge assessments before and after the course. RESULTS: Seventeen teams (34 clinicians) completed the abbreviated ECMO course. None had previously completed an ECMO certification course. Immediately following the course, all teams successfully primed and prepared the ECMO circuit. Fifteen teams (88%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 64% to 99%) successfully initiated ECMO. Participants improved their knowledge (difference 21.2, 95% CI = 16.5 to 25.8) and confidence (difference 40.3, 95% CI = 35.6 to 45.0) scores after completing the course. CONCLUSIONS: We developed an accelerated 1-day ECMO course. Clinicians' confidence and knowledge assessments improved and 88% of teams could successfully initiate venoarterial ECMO after the course.

Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury Transported by Critical Care Air Transport Teams: The Influence of Altitude and Oxygenation during Transport.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are life-threatening, and air transport of patients with TBI requires additional considerations. To mitigate the risks of complications associated with altitude, some patients fly with a cabin altitude restriction (CAR) to limit the altitude at which an aircraft's cabin is maintained. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of CARs on patients with TBI transported out of theater via Critical Care Air Transport Teams. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with moderate-to-severe TBI evacuated out of combat theater to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center via Critical Care Air Transport Teams. We collected demographics, flight and injury information, procedures, oxygenation, and outcomes (discharge disposition and hospital/ICU/ventilator days). We categorized patients as having a CAR if they had a documented CAR or maximum cabin altitude of 5,000 feet or lower in their Critical Care Air Transport Teams record. We calculated descriptive statistics and constructed regression models to evaluate the association between CAR and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: We reviewed the charts of 435 patients, 31% of which had a documented CAR. Nineteen percent of the sample had a PaO2 lower than 80 mm Hg, and 3% of patients experienced a SpO2 lower than 93% while in flight. When comparing preflight and in-flight events, we found that the percentage of patients who had a SpO2 of 93% or lower increased for the No CAR group, whereas the CAR group did not experience a significant change. However, flying without a CAR was not associated with discharge disposition, mortality, or hospital/ICU/ventilator days. Further, having a CAR was not associated with these outcomes after adjusting for additional flights, injury severity, injury type, or preflight head surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with TBI who flew with a CAR did not differ in clinical outcomes from those without a CAR.

Influence of Time to Transport to a Higher Level Facility on the Clinical Outcomes of US Combat Casualties with TBI: A Multicenter 7-Year Study.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide and is associated with mortality rates as high as 30%. Patients with TBI are at high risk for secondary injury and need to be transported to definitive care expeditiously. However, the physiologic effects of aeromedical evacuation are not well understood and may compound these risks. Combat TBI patients may benefit from delayed aeromedical evacuation. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of transport timing out of theater via Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATT) to a higher level facility on the clinical outcomes of combat casualties with TBI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients with TBI who were evacuated out of theater by CCATT from January 2007 to May 2014. Data abstractors collected flight information, vital signs, procedures, in-flight assessments, and outcomes. Time to transport was defined as the time from injury to CCATT evacuation out of combat theater. We calculated descriptive statistics and constructed regression models to determine the association between time to transport and clinical outcomes. This study was approved by the U.S. Air Force 59th Medical Wing Institutional Review Board. RESULTS: We analyzed the records of 438 patients evacuated out of theater via CCATT and categorized them into three groups: patients who were transported in one day or less (n = 165), two days (n = 163), and three or more days (n = 110). We used logistic regression models to compare outcomes among patients who were evacuated in two days or three or more days to those who were transported within one day while adjusting for demographics, injury severity, and injury type. Patients who were evacuated in two days or three or more days had 50% lower odds of being discharged on a ventilator and were twice as likely to return to duty or be discharged home than those who were evacuated within one day. Additionally, patients transported in three or more days were 70% less likely to be ventilated at discharge with a GCS of 8 or lower and had 30% lower odds of mortality than those transported within one day. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with moderate to severe TBI, a delay in aeromedical evacuation out of the combat theater was associated with improved mortality rates and a higher likelihood of discharge to home and return to duty dispositions. This study is correlational in nature and focused on CCATT transports from Role III to Role IV facilities; as such, care must be taken in interpreting our findings and future studies are needed to establish a causal link between delayed evacuation and improved discharge disposition. Our study suggests that delaying aeromedical evacuation of TBI patients when feasible may confer benefit.

Descriptive Analysis of Cardiac Patients Transported by Critical Care Air Transport Teams.

INTRODUCTION: Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATTs) transport critically ill patients within and out of theaters of combat operations. Studies of the CCATT population reveal as many as 35% of patients have a non-trauma diagnosis, of which more than half are cardiac.The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the epidemiology of critically ill patients with cardiac diagnoses evacuated from theater via CCATT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 290 medical patients with a primary cardiac diagnosis transported from any theater of operation to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany from January 2007 to April 2015. RESULTS: The majority of patients were male with an average age of 46 ± 11 years, US contractors (47%, n = 137), followed by US Active Duty (32%, n = 93). Patients had an average BMI of 29 ± 5; 62% of cardiac patients were either overweight or obese. The most common cardiac diagnoses were ST elevation myocardial infarction, Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, and angina. Pre-flight vital signs indicate overall patients were stable prior to evacuation, with the majority receiving supplemental oxygen and only 5% requiring mechanical ventilation. Eighty-one percent of patients experienced at least one cardiac event during flight, however less than 5% required adjustment to oxygen or ventilator settings. CONCLUSIONS: Critically ill cardiac patients make up a significant portion of patients transported out of the combat theater. These patients are older, overweight and have identified risk factors for cardiac morbidity. More strenuous pre-deployment screening for risk factors and prevention strategies could minimize the use of military resources to evacuate these patients from the combat theater.

Impact of prehospital medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) transport time on combat mortality in patients with non-compressible torso injury and traumatic amputations: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: In combat operations, patients with traumatic injuries require expeditious evacuation to improve survival. Studies have shown that long transport times are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Limited data exist on the influence of transport time on patient outcomes with specific injury types. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of the duration of time from the initial request for medical evacuation to arrival at a medical treatment facility on morbidity and mortality in casualties with traumatic extremity amputation and non-compressible torso injury (NCTI). METHODS: We completed a retrospective review of MEDEVAC patient care records for United States military personnel who sustained traumatic amputations and NCTI during Operation Enduring Freedom between January 2011 and March 2014. We grouped patients as traumatic amputation and NCTI (AMP+NCTI), traumatic amputation only (AMP), and neither AMP nor NCTI (Non-AMP/NCTI). Analysis was performed using chi-squared tests, Fisher's exact tests, Cochran-Armitage Trend tests, Shapiro-Wilks tests, Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis techniques and Cox proportional hazards regression modeling. RESULTS: We reviewed 1267 records, of which 669 had an injury severity score (ISS) of 10 or greater and were included in the analysis. In the study population, 15.5% sustained only amputation injuries (n=104, AMP only), 10.8% sustained amputation and NCTI (n=72, AMP+NCTI), and 73.7% did not sustain either an amputation or an NCTI (n=493, Non-AMP/NCTI). AMP+NCTI had the highest mortality (16.7%) with transport time greater than 60 min. While the AMP+NCTI group had decreasing survival with longer transport times, AMP and Non-AMP/NCTI did not exhibit the same trend. CONCLUSIONS: A decreased transport time from the point of injury to a medical treatment facility was associated with decreased mortality in patients who suffered a combination of amputation injury and NCTI. No significant association between transport time and outcomes was found in patients who did not sustain NCTI. Priority for rapid evacuation of combat casualties should be given to those with NCTI.

Detecting aberrant opioid behavior in the emergency department: a prospective study using the screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain-Revised (SOAPP®-R), Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM)™, and provider gestalt.

Emergency department (ED) providers have limited time to evaluate patients at risk for opioid misuse. A validated tool to assess the risk for aberrant opioid behavior may mitigate adverse sequelae associated with prescription opioid misuse. We sought to determine if SOAPP-R, COMM, and provider gestalt were able to identify patients at risk for prescription opioid misuse as determined by pharmacy records at 12 months. We conducted a prospective observational study of adult patients in a high volume US ED. Patients completed the SOAPP-R and COMM, and treating EM providers evaluated patients' opioid misuse risk. We performed variable-centered, person-centered, and hierarchical cluster analyses to determine whether provider gestalt, SOAPP-R, or COMM, or a combination, predicted higher misuse risk. The primary outcome was the number of opioid prescriptions at 12 months according to pharmacy records. For 169 patients (mean age 43 years, 51% female, 73% white), correlation analysis showed a strong relationship between SOAPP-R and COMM with predicting the number of opioid prescriptions dispensed at 12 months. Provider scores estimating opioid misuse were not related to SOAPP-R and only weakly associated with COMM. In our adjusted regression models, provider gestalt and SOAPP-R uniquely predicted opioid prescriptions at 6 and 12 months. Using designated cutoff scores, only SOAPP-R detected a difference in the number of opioid prescriptions. Cluster analysis revealed that provider gestalt, SOAPP-R, and COMM scores jointly predicted opioid prescriptions. Provider gestalt and self-report instruments uniquely predicted the number of opioid prescriptions in ED patients. A combination of gestalt and self-assessment scores can be used to identify at-risk patients who otherwise miss the cutoff scores for SOAPP-R and COMM.

Impact of Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) ventilator management on combat mortality.

BACKGROUND: Aeromedical evacuation platforms such as Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATTs) play a vital role in the transport and care of critically injured and ill patients in the combat theater. Mechanical ventilation is used to support patients with failing respiratory function and patients requiring high levels of sedation. Mechanical ventilation, if not managed appropriately, can worsen or cause lung injury and contribute to increased morbidity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of ARDSNet protocol compliance during aeromedical evacuation of ventilated combat injured patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of combat injured patients transported by CCATTs from Afghanistan to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in Germany between January 2007 and January 2012. After univariate analyses, we performed regression analyses to assess compliance and post-flight outcomes. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate associations between the risk factor of non-compliance with increased number of ventilator, ICU, or hospital days. Nominal logistic regression models were performed to evaluate the association between non-compliance and mortality. RESULTS: Sixty-two percent (n = 669) of 1,086 patients required mechanical ventilation during transport. A total of 650 patients required volume-controlled mechanical ventilation and were included in the analysis. Of the 650 subjects, 62% (n = 400) were non-compliant per tidal volume and ARDSNet table recommendations. The groups were similar in all demographic variables, except the Non-compliant group had a higher Injury Severity Score compared to the Compliant group. Subjects in the Compliant group were less likely to have an incidence of acute respiratory distress, acute respiratory failure, and ventilator-associated pneumonia when combing the variables (2% vs. 7%, p < 0.0069). The Non-compliant group had an increased incidence of in-flight respiratory events, required more days on the ventilator and in the ICU, and had a higher mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with the ARDSNet guidelines was associated with a decrease in ventilator days, ICU days, and 30-day mortality. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management, level IV.

Critical Care Air Transport Team Evacuation of Medical Patients Without Traumatic Injury.

BACKGROUND: Air Force Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATTs) provide fixed-wing aeromedical evacuation for combat casualties. Multiple studies have evaluated CCATT trauma patients; however, nearly 50% of patients medically evacuated from combat theaters are for nontraumatic medical illnesses to include stroke, myocardial infarctions, overdose, and pulmonary emboli. Published data are limited regarding illness types, in-flight procedures, and adverse events. OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to characterize patients with nontraumatic medical illnesses transferred via CCATT to include a description of in-flight procedures and events. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective review of CCATT medical records of patients with nontraumatic medical illnesses transported via CCATT from theater of operations to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center between January 2007 and April 2015. We abstracted data from CCATT records to include demographics, description of current illness, vital signs, labs, in-flight procedures and medications, and in-flight adverse events. Following descriptive analysis, comparative tests were performed based on service status of patients and primary diagnoses. RESULTS: We reviewed 672 records of critically ill medical patients transported via CCATT, most of whom were male (90%, n = 606). Approximately 56% of the patients were U.S. active duty members; the remainder included U.S. contractors and civilians, and foreign citizens or unknown. The three categories (active duty, contractor/civilian, foreign/unknown) significantly differed from one another in age. Over half of the patients received a primary or secondary cardiac diagnosis. The most common in-flight procedures and medications included supplementary oxygenation, anticoagulant/antiplatelet medications, analgesics, and ventilation. Up to 20% of patients required continuous medication infusions other than analgesics. Patients most frequently experienced in-flight complications related to their primary diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: Fifty-six percent (672) of 1,209 CCATT records that were queried were of patients with medical conditions. The most common primary diagnoses of CCATT medical patients were cardiac, pulmonary, and neurological in etiology. Mechanical ventilation and continuous medication infusions were required in approximately 20% of patients. The data provided by this study may assist in guiding future CCATT training requirements and resource allocation, as well as clinical practice guideline development.

Self-reported dietary supplement use in deployed United States service members pre-deployment vs. during deployment, Afghanistan, 2013-2014.

BACKGROUND: Dietary supplement use (protein/amino acids, weight-loss supplements, performance enhancers) is common among U.S. military members. Reported dietary supplement use in deployed troops is limited and is of concern in settings where troops are exposed to high ambient temperatures, increased physical demands, and dehydration. Our objective was to describe dietary supplement use and adverse events (AEs) among deployed U.S. service members compared with their pre-deployment use. METHODS: We conducted an institutional review board (IRB) approved, descriptive study in Afghanistan using a written questionnaire and collected demographic information, dietary supplement use before and during deployment, AEs associated with supplement use, and physical workout routines. Participants were U.S. military personnel of all branches of service deployed to Afghanistan. They were recruited in high-traffic areas in the combat theater. We analyzed the data with descriptive statistics. Paired t-test/Wilcoxon signed-rank test was conducted to examine the before/during deployment changes for continuous data, and McNemar's chi-square test was conducted for categorical data. We constructed separate logistic regression models to determine the best predictors of increases or decreases in dietary supplement use, with demographic information, reasons for using supplements, and education requested/received as covariates in each model. All statistical tests were two-sided at a significance level of 5% (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Data were collected on 1685 participants. Ninety-seven of the participants were in the Army or Air Force. The participants were more likely to work out daily or more than once a day during deployment. Thirty-five percent of the participants reported no supplement use before or during deployment. The remaining 65% of participants reported increased use and increased frequency of use of supplements (e.g., daily) during deployment compared with pre-deployment. Additionally, more people followed label instructions strictly during deployment vs. pre-deployment. Overall, the frequency of self-reported AEs among supplement users remained consistent before and during deployment. The only significant difference noted was in problems falling or staying asleep, which increased during deployment. In the adjusted logistic regression models, the level of formal education, military branch, occupational specialty, education about dietary supplements, and certain reasons for using supplements (to boost energy, lose weight, gain muscle strength and mass, and as a meal replacement) were significant predictors of changes in supplement use. CONCLUSION: Deployed U.S. service members were more likely to use dietary supplements, use more than one supplement and use supplements more frequently during deployment than pre-deployment. No serious AEs were reported, but problems falling or staying asleep increased during deployment.

Combat MEDEVAC: A comparison of care by provider type for en route trauma care in theater and 30-day patient outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) is the movement and en route care of injured and medically compromised patients by medical care providers via helicopter. Military MEDEVAC platforms provide lifesaving interventions that improve survival in combat. There is limited evidence to support decision making related to en route care and allocation of resources. The association between provider type and en route care is not well understood. Our objective was to describe MEDEVAC providers and identify associations between provider type, procedures performed, and outcomes. METHODS: We conducted an institutional review board-approved, retrospective record review of patients traumatically injured in combat, evacuated by MEDEVAC from the point of injury, between 2011 and 2014. Data abstracted included injury description, provider type, procedures performed, medications administered, survival, and 30-day outcomes. Subjects were grouped according to provider type: medics, paramedics, and ADVs (advanced-level providers to include nurses, physician assistants, and physicians). Groups were compared. Analyses were performed using χ tests for categorical variables and analysis of variance tests (Kruskal-Wallis tests) for continuous variables; p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The MEDEVAC records were reviewed, and data were abstracted from 1,237 subjects. The providers were composed of medics, 76%; paramedics, 21%; and ADVs, 4%. Patient and injury demographics were similar among groups. The ADVs were most likely to perform intubation, chest needle decompressions (p < 0.0001), and hypothermia prevention (p = 0.01). Paramedics were most likely to administer blood en route (p < 0.0001). All other procedures were similar between groups. Paramedics were most likely to administer ketamine (p < 0.0001), any analgesic (p < 0.0001), or any medication en route (p < 0.0001). Incidence rates of en route events (pain, hypoxia, abnormal hemodynamics, vital signs) were similar between provider types. In-theater and 30-day survival rates were similar between provider types. CONCLUSION: Providers with higher-level training were more likely to perform more advanced procedures during en route care. Our study found no significant association between provider type and in-theater or 30-day mortality rates. Upon subgroup analysis, no difference was found in patients with an injury severity score greater than 16. More evidence is needed to determine the appropriate level of MEDEVAC personnel training and skill maintenance necessary to minimize combat mortality. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level III.

En route intraosseous access performed in the combat setting.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare vascular access practices used by en route care providers during medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. Medical records of US military personnel injured in combat and transported by MEDEVAC teams were queried. PATIENTS: The subjects were transported by military en route care providers, in the combat theater during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) between January 2011 and March 2014. The authors reviewed 1,267 MEDEVAC records of US casualties and included 832 subjects that had vascular access attempts. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome measures for this study were vascular access success rates, including intravenous (IV) and intraosseous (IO) attempts. Subjects were grouped by type of vascular access: None, peripheral intravenous (PIV), IO, and PIV + IO (combination of PIV and IO) and by vascular access (PIV or IO) success (No versus Yes). Survival rate, in-flight events, ventilator, intensive care and in hospital days, and 30-day outcomes were compared among groups. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The authors used chisquare or Fisher's exact tests to evaluate categorical variables. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for continuous variables. RESULTS: Vascular access was attempted in 832 (66 percent) of the 1,267 subjects transported by MEDEVAC during this study period. The majority (n = 758) of the access attempts were PIV of which 93 percent (706/758) were successful. In 74 subjects, IO was the only access attempted with an 85 percent (n = 63) success rate. The overall success rate with IO placement was 88 percent. CONCLUSIONS: Intraosseous access has been used successfully in the combat setting and accounts for approximately 12 percent of vascular access in the MEDEVAC population the authors studied.