Improving Air Medical Transport Training:: A Nurse Leader Perspective

Abstract

Adapting to the air medical transport environment is challenging and complex for crewmembers, with many variables extending beyond medical management of the critically ill patient. The need for all air medical transport professionals to maintain a solid commitment to safety remains paramount. Not only are individual crewmembers responsible for maintaining safe delivery of care, but organizational leadership is responsible for establishing and promoting a culture of safety. Although the air medical transport community varies on their need to establish such guidelines, nurse leaders should work to support the development of best practice guidelines for standardized training at their facilities to ensure the safety of their air medical crews and the patients they serve. The Dorothy Ebersbach Academic Center for Flight Nursing at The Frances Payne Bolton (FPB) School of Nursing in Cleveland, Ohio designs standardized training for novice to expert crewmembers focusing on the adoption of safe patient care practices during medical transport in civilian environments.