Air Care Series: Balloon Tamponade of Variceal Hemorrhage

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Air Care Series: Balloon Tamponade of Variceal Hemorrhage

In HEMS, there are rare instances where ‘stay and play’ is the safest thing for the patient. Exsanguinating variceal bleed is one of those conditions. This week Dr. Whitford takes us step-by-step through the placement and confirmation of balloon tamponade placement (Minnesota Tube) for stabilization of these bleeds. We hope by reading this, it gives you another 6 months of this not happening on your next transport or ED shift...

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Grand Rounds Recap - 4/8/15

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Grand Rounds Recap - 4/8/15

AirCare Grand Rounds

1. Indications for T pod

  • Blunt trauma + unstable pelvis
  • Blunt trauma + shock + pelvic tenderness to compression
  • Blunt trauma + shock + AMS/inability to evaluate pelvic pain

In patients with blunt trauma who are in shock and have AMS, incidence of pelvic fractures is 10%. In patients who die of blunt trauma during transport, open book pelvis fracture is the #1 cause of death (according to our own QI data)

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