Show wing Fixed t j k concept for critical e The size of ot the Intermountain mountain Region coupled with Its Us relatively sparse population has brought about a new concept concept concept con con- in the care of oC critically Injured persons a range long-range flying intensive care unit staff staffed d by MD M.D. specialists and nurses nurses This conclusion was drawn in inan inan inan an article published in the January issue of ot Contemporary Sur Surgery ery a journal published in New York City for Cor the nations nation's surgeons Its author is Dr Bruce Houtchens assistant professor proCessor in the University of oC Utah Center Department Department Department Depart Depart- ment of ot Surgery Dr Houtchens wrote about the use of oC wing fixed aircraft specially equipped with life support systems to transport critically ill or injured persons from remote areas to Salt Lake City FOR MANY years Dr Houtchens said in the article Salt Lake City has been the major referral center for Cor all of oC Utah and much of five surrounding states Within this state six region there are well over outlying community hospitals And because of oC the size of the region a half hall million square miles with a population of oC only about three million It is probably the largest region Inthe in inthe inthe the US U.S. to have specialized medical care needs served by a single metropolitan area He Ile said the wing fixed airplane airplane airplane air air- plane concept developed because ground ambulances are too slow over long distances and helicopters are not time time- efficient cost at distances greater than miles WING FIXED aircraft presently used by medical transport teams out of ot Salt Lake City are fully equipped with supplies and life lite support systems found in most intensive care units at larger hospitals They are on hour 24 call and specialty teams of oC physicians and nurses from Crom various medical disciplines can be assembled on short notice to make a flight night Using physicians and nurses mines from the same critical care unit to which a patient is being tra transported assures that the team is optimally qualified to handle the patients patient's specific illness or injury Dr Houtchens Houtchens Hout Hout- chens wrote in the article However Dr Houtchens said that the key figure in the lifesaving lifesaving life life- saving success of a transport is the rural physician who first encounters the patient THE TIlE U U. U SURGEON said if such a service exists and if the rural doctor knows about the service and believes that management In a major critical care unit would improve chances for survival this primary physician will make that crucial first call to the critical care unit In fact he be added it probably will be the primary physician who actually saves the patients patient's life in those critical first hours |