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Equipment
Medical Equipment
GlideScope Ranger Video Laryngoscope
This device is pioneering the utilization of video and camera technology to aid in the rapid, and definitive placement of advanced airways in critically ill and injured patients in the field. A small, color camera is embedded in the tip of a curved larygoscope blade that connects to a monitor/screen that is visible to providers as they place an airway in an unconcious patient. This allows for accurate placement of endotracheal tubes directly into the patient's trachea, enabling medical providers to "breathe for the patient".
Packed Red Blood Cells (Human blood product)
Packed red blood cells (PRBCs), also called "packed cells," are a preparation of red blood cells that are transfused to critially ill patients to correct low blood levels. This is typically reserved for the most critically ill trauma and medical patients to increase the amount of hemoglobin in the blood that can carry oxygen. This is done as a cooperative program with the Trauma Services Program of University Medical Center at Brackenridge, the local Level I Trauma Center.
Medtronics LIFEPAK 12 Monitor/Defibrillator
This is the heart monitor/defibrilllator that is most commonly utilized by STAR Flight crew members during patient care. This device can monitor the electrical rhythm of a patient’s heart, check blood pressure, monitor the amount of oxygen in the patient’s blood and their respiratory status, and deliver an electrical shock to slow or increase heart rate or to correct irregular rhythms associated with cardiac arrest.
Welch Allyn Protocol Propaq Monitor
The Porpaq is regularly utilized by STAR Flight crew members to monitor heart rate and rythm, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and respiratory status during dual patient transports. This device does not defibrillate.
Pulmonetics LTV 1000 Ventilator
The LTV 1000 ventilator is utilized by STAR Flight crew members to artificially breathe for patients who are seriously ill or injured. That process most often involves attaching the ventilator to a plastic breathing tube that has been placed into the patient's windpipe. This particular ventilator has a wide range of additional options that can be used to assist patient's who are breathing on their own, but require some support to help their lungs work effectively.
IVAC Medsystem III Infusion IV Pump
This compact device allows us to administer up to three different medications simultaneously through intravenous (IV) lines. We use this most often when transferring a patient from one hospital to another.
AWS Medical Rescue Pack
This is our “must go” bag for all incidents. We take this bag with us on all patient encounters, including hoist and land rescue missions. This pack can be easily donned and secured by rescuers during hoist operations, rappels, short hauls and ground-based technical rescue operations. Contents include a variety of tools and medications that allow us perform time critical life saving interventions or perform procedures to enhance patient comfort. This kit allows us to initiate IV lines and administer pain medications or medications designed to assist crew members in placing a breathing tube. Additionally, it contains items to appropriately package the patient before being loaded into the aircraft for transport.
AWS Medical Inter-Facility Pack
In this bag we carry a second set of critical medical equipment for a second patient along with the specialized equipment that is often necessary when we are tasked with transferring a patient from one hospital to another. Accessories for the IV pump, specialized lines to monitor the patient, and some unique items for the aircraft to handle wound care and certain respiratory distress calls can be found in here.