Dexmedetomidine Utilization During Air Medical Transport for Agitated Patients

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

13:00 – 14:00 MST

Location: 251 AD

Earn 1.0 credits - CAPCE; Nursing; CME CE credit

David Watson, RN CFRN C-NPT NREMT-P (he/him/his)

NeoPeds Flight Nurse
MedHealth Partners
Melbourne, Florida

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Erik Nemecek, MSN, RN, CFRN, CCRN, CPEN

Director of Clinical Operations
MedHealth Partners

Disclosure information not submitted.

Disclosure(s):

David Watson, RN. CFRN. C-NPT. NREMT-P: No financial relationships to disclose

Fixed Wing Air Ambulance providers routinely transport patients agitated from traumatic brain injury sequelae across long distances in a unique environment. The current paradigm limits options available to air medical clinicians to those routinely found on ground based, short distance vehicles, plus whatever a sending facility might be willing to provide. We postulate that dexmedetomidine offers a safe, effective alternative to improve patient care and enhance the safe operation of aircraft.

Learning Objectives:

…identify 3 unique aspects of transporting a TBI patient in the fixed wing air ambulance environment.
…describe 3 unique properties of dexmedetomidine and their advantages/disadvantages when compared to other agents.
…describe the importance of identifying, adapting and utilizing non-traditional treatments and medications in the critical care transport environment.