AirCurrents. Miami Valley Hospital Trauma Program Celebrates 25 Years of Service

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AirCurrents Winter 2018 Miami Valley Hospital Trauma Program Celebrates 25 Years of Service By Amanda Pulfer, RN On September 17, 1992, the American College of

for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient. MVH has undergone nine reverifications since then to maintain its Level I Trauma Center status for 25 consecutive years.

The hospital offers specialized pre-hospital and acute care services rendered by specially trained providers who stand ready in various disciplines and

Mary McCarthy spearheaded the creation and growth of the trauma program 25 years ago, and continues to do so by fostering future trauma leaders through the

By being a part of educating future trauma surgeons, Miami Valley Hospital is in the forefront of innovation and best practices for trauma patients.

Miami Valley Hospital cares for trauma patients and their families in our community by leading in discovery, education, and advocacy.

For 25 years, only one hospital in the Dayton area has provided the highest level of trauma care and is part of a health system that treats the most trauma

1 AirCurrents Winter 2018 Miami Valley Hospital Trauma Program Celebrates 25 Years of Service By Amanda Pulfer, RN On September 17, 1992, the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma verified that Miami Valley Hospital met all criteria for the accreditation of a Level I Trauma Center, per the document, Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient. MVH has undergone nine reverifications since then to maintain its Level I Trauma Center status for 25 consecutive years. Miami Valley Hospital s Level I Trauma Center can provide total care for every aspect of injury from prevention through rehabilitation. The hospital offers specialized pre-hospital and acute care services rendered by specially trained providers who stand ready in various disciplines and departments to deliver a standard level of high-quality care 24 hours a day. Dr. Mary McCarthy spearheaded the creation and growth of the trauma program 25 years ago, and continues to do so by fostering future trauma leaders through the general surgical residency process. By being a part of educating future trauma surgeons, Miami Valley Hospital is in the forefront of innovation and best practices for trauma patients. The Trauma Program prides itself in giving excellent care through an integrated team approach that is monitored regularly for performance improvement. Miami Valley Hospital cares for trauma patients and their families in our community by leading in discovery, education, and advocacy. Experience matters in trauma care. For 25 years, only one hospital in the Dayton area has provided the highest level of trauma care and is part of a health system that treats the most trauma patients in the region. Miami Valley Hospital is committed to providing the highest quality of care and to reducing regional trauma-related deaths and disability by providing seamless care that leads to healing and recovery. Miami Valley Hospital is proud to have been en Dayton s leader in trauma care for 25 years. In This Issue Winter Helicopter Air Ambulance Challenges and Considerations A Meaningful Visit CareFlight Outreach Manager Receives National Recognition CareFlight MICU: 2017 in Review Upcoming Outreach Events CareFlight Air and Mobile Services premierhealth.com

2 Winter Helicopter Air Ambulance Challenges and Considerations By Keith Shivers, Program Aviation Manager Winter is in full swing here in Southwest Ohio, and while all that frozen white stuff might be pretty to look at, cold weather does cause some challenges for Helicopter Air Ambulance operations. Specifically, freezing temperatures add an additional layer of consideration as our pilots evaluate flight requests. CareFlight typically can accept many patient transports that other programs are not able to accept due to our high level of training operating in the clouds under Instrument Flight Rules. But that is not the case this time of year; freezing temperatures cause moisture in clouds to adhere to the aircraft s rotor blades and fuselage, which adds weight and impedes the rotor blades ability to create lift not good! Therefore, our IFR flying will be very limited until we see warmer temperatures again. Another extremely important consideration with winter operations is Heliport and scene operations. Snow blown by helicopter rotor wash can cause an unsafe condition known as white out. A white out can cause visibility in landing zones as well as the surrounding area to be near zero until the snow settles. Hospital LZs are often co-located with parking lots, and the drastically reduced visibility of a white out could cause traffic problems. As helicopter travel times to our partners facilities are often short, keeping the landing area clear will reduce the chance of a significant white out. At the same time, conditions will be much more tenable for both the ground and air crews as well as any pedestrians nearby. Observing best practice snow removal procedures will help eliminate any delays in patient care. Cold temperatures combined with the wind speed generated by the Dauphin as it lands, and even while on the ground, compound the cold through wind chill. Wind speeds of 50 mph or more with 25-degree temperatures can result in a wind chill of below 10 degrees. All helipad/scene load/offload personnel have to be dressed appropriately with all of their skin covered, and they must wear eye protection to prevent any small ice crystals or even chunks of snow that may get dislodged and become projectiles from causing them any harm. One final consideration to be on the lookout for during winter helipad operations is the location to which personnel are moving snow. The footprint of the helicopter, as well as the lights surrounding the helipads, need to be considered. Snow must be cleared from landing zones by the same 100-foot-by-100-foot area that is required for any LZ. A pile of snow hardens with the thawing and re-freezing that takes place, and can be a serious obstacle for the pilots and medical crew to navigate. It can ultimately impede or delay patient care. Winter flying and operations definitely poses challenges, but with a proactive and informed team, we can keep both ground and air crews safe while serving our community.

A Meaningful Visit By Angela Sebald, RN On August 23, 2017, around 1:30 p.m., Gregory Williams was in a single occupant motor vehicle accident in Sugarcreek Township.

Due to the high-risk mechanism of injury with patient entrapment, CareFlight also responded to the scene.

$There, Gregory was diagnosed with multiple injuries, including left hip and pelvis fractures, multiple rib fractures, and a lacerated spleen.$ He was admitted to the hospital and underwent multiple procedures to repair his spleen and hip injuries.

He was admitted to the hospital and underwent multiple procedures to repair his spleen and hip injuries.

One day in late September, I received a message that Gregory called and requested to speak with the crew members who flew him to Miami Valley Hospital.

He was tearful and genuine, and his emotions flowed through the phone and melted my heart. We chatted about his memories of that day, and he said he didn t remember much of the crash or the flight.

3 A Meaningful Visit By Angela Sebald, RN On August 23, 2017, around 1:30 p.m., Gregory Williams was in a single occupant motor vehicle accident in Sugarcreek Township. He became trapped in the crashed vehicle and had to be extricated by the Sugarcreek Township Fire Department. Due to the high-risk mechanism of injury with patient entrapment, CareFlight also responded to the scene. Gregory was pulled from the wreckage and loaded onto the aircraft immediately upon CareFlight s arrival. Seven minutes later, CareFlight landed at Miami Valley Hospital, and Gregory was delivered to the emergency and trauma center. There, Gregory was diagnosed with multiple injuries, including left hip and pelvis fractures, multiple rib fractures, and a lacerated spleen. He was admitted to the hospital and underwent multiple procedures to repair his spleen and hip injuries. He had a six-day hospital stay and has been receiving inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation ever since. One day in late September, I received a message that Gregory called and requested to speak with the crew members who flew him to Miami Valley Hospital. I happened to be on duty and returned his call the same day. During the call, Gregory said he wanted to express his appreciation to the flight crew for participating in his care that day. He was tearful and genuine, and his emotions flowed through the phone and melted my heart. We chatted about his memories of that day, and he said he didn t remember much of the crash or the flight. But he did remember hearing a nurse saying, don t go to sleep, and we will be there in five minutes. That voice comforted him because he knew he wasn t alone. It was the voice of flight nurse Kat Moore, my partner that day. Gregory went on to tell me that he wanted to thank the crew in person one day. As we chatted, we discovered that he would be back at Miami Valley Hospital for an outpatient follow-up visit on October 19. Kat and I, along with pilot Tim McClain, all happened to be scheduled for duty that day! On October 19, 2017, Gregory and his parents got to meet the crew who flew him to the hospital. He also got an up-close view of the exact aircraft he flew in this time under more ideal circumstances! For Kat and me, it was a true honor to visit with Gregory and his parents that day. A truly humbling honor. Premier Health flight nurses Kat Moore, left, and Angela Sebald, right, meet with patient Gregory Williams, who asked to connect with the CareFlight crew members who flew him to Miami Valley Hospital after he was injured in a vehicle crash in Sugarcreek Township.

4 CareFlight Outreach Manager Receives National Recognition By Angela Sebald, RN, Molly Nickell, RN and Jeffrey Bell, RN We are proud to announce that Amanda (Mandy) Via, the outreach manager of CareFlight Air and Mobile Services, earned the 2017 AAMS The 2017 AAMS Excellence Excellence in Community Service Award! in Community Service Award The Association of was presented to Mandy Via, Air Medical Services outreach manager, on October presents this award each 15 at the Air Medical Transport year to an emergency medical transport Conference in Fort Worth, TX. organization or individual who demonstrates a broad-based, continuing commitment to the communities they serve. This prestigious award honors an organization or person who exhibits an outstanding history of leadership and substantial partnership in community-based projects that contribute to the quality of life within. Mandy s nomination for the award recognized her commitment and excellence in designing, coordinating, and executing the community-based Drive Smart mock crash program. The Drive Smart mock crash program involves simulating vehicle crashes for high school students to provide a real-life look at the consequences of making poor choices before getting behind the wheel of a car. In collaboration with multiple agencies, Drive Smart mock crashes create life-like scenarios with two wrecked cars staged to represent a motor vehicle accident. Four students play roles in the crash one who is deceased and managed by the coroner and a local funeral home; one who is removed and treated by a local 911 ambulance; one who is removed and flown away by a CareFlight helicopter; and one who is an intoxicated driver being apprehended by local police. Mandy narrates the events and often invites a guest speaker who happens to be a local mother who lost her own teenage son in a real crash. Drive Smart is the most complex, collaborative, and far-reaching of all the community outreach programs offered by CareFlight Air and Mobile Services, with 25 to 30 mock crashes performed each year. An objective of the Drive Smart program is to raise teens awareness of the dangers and consequences of bad decisionmaking specifically drinking and driving; driving/riding without a seat belt; and allowing friends to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking. Additionally, witnessing the realism of the Drive Smart simulation affects students on an emotional level, as well as intellectually. Each Drive Smart simulation is extremely time- and labor-intensive, requiring coordination with multiple agencies. High schools (administration, student actors, IT department, maintenance/facilities, and parents); local EMS teams; fire and police departments who serve the schools; emergency dispatchers; coroners; funeral homes; a tow-truck company; local media; and a parent speaker all come together to make these events happen. Additionally, coordination with CareFlight dispatchers, pilots, and crew is necessary for an aircraft to respond and land safely. While Mandy goes above and beyond with all aspects of CareFlight s community outreach, she is especially passionate about the Drive Smart program. Mandy is quoted as saying, Drive Smart season is very labor-intensive. Literally, fake blood, real sweat, and tears. It is a collaboration of first responders and communities to try to save lives. After every Drive Smart, all the first responders gather, and we always say the same thing if we just save one life. Mandy started at CareFlight in 2012 as a flight nurse, and subsequently transitioned into the role of outreach manager three and a half years ago. During her tenure as outreach manager, Mandy has grown the influence of CareFlight s

5 outreach program throughout the region. In 2017 alone, Mandy dedicated more than 400 hours and drove approximately 2,000 miles to put on 28 Drive Smart events. She also has coordinated more than 400 outreach events, including free community continuing education classes; aircraft and mobile ICU displays; medical standbys at events; and landing zone safety sessions. All of the public relations events that Mandy schedules are intended to strengthen CareFlight s relationship with regional community organizations and promote collaboration between service agencies to keep our communities safe. We are so proud of Mandy and all of her accomplishments, and are honored to have her as part of our CareFlight leadership team! First responders and role players perform CareFlight s Drive Smart mock crash program for students at Bethel High School near Tipp City. CareFlight helps coordinate such events to raise teens awareness of the consequences of bad driving-related decisions, such as drinking and driving and not wearing a seat belt. Photo by Mike Ullery CareFlight MICU: 2017 in Review By Andrew C. Hawk, MD As another year of Premier Health critical care transportation comes to an end, I pause for reflection. And when I look in the CareFlight mirror of time, I see the distinct image of a work horse a work horse branded with the words CareFlight MICU on its side. It all started 20 years ago, in 1997, when a single CareFlight Mobile Intensive Care Unit went into service. At that time, its predecessor and partner the CareFlight helicopter already had 14 years of exemplary service under its belt(s). At that time, the CareFlight MICU s future was unknown and not guaranteed. Fast forward to the present, and you see the contemporary CareFlight MICU work horses. The past 20 years have seen the addition of multiple CareFlight MICUs and thousands of MICU patient encounters. In fact, since 2012, the CareFlight MICU system has cared for and transported more than 20,000 patients. The unknown MICU future back in 1997 is well known in The CareFlight MICUs have become the work horses that complement the CareFlight helicopters. And CareFlight Air and Mobile Services is named just that to reflect the two integrated systems that provide round-theclock critical care transport. Both the air and ground components are essential to provide this service, which is the most integrated and comprehensive service in the region. Thank you to all who have contributed to the success of the CareFlight MICU program over the years. As always, please feel free to contact me with questions or comments. Photo by Tim Hines ANDY HAWK, MD Medical Director CareFlight Air and Mobile Services Phone: (937) achawk@premierhealth.com

6 Operated By Miami Valley Hospital CareFlight Air and Mobile Services One Wyoming St. Dayton, Ohio Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Dayton, Ohio Permit Number 79 Upcoming Outreach Events By Mandy Via, RN, Outreach Manager Miami Valley Hospital One Wyoming Street Dayton, Ohio CareFlight (800) Photo by Andrew Grimm Logan County On the Lake May 19, 2018 Join us for our first on the lake educational event hosted at Indian Lake. This day of education will highlight injuries and other mishaps that can happen while having fun on the lake. Trauma case reviews and other watercraft reviews will take place. Stay tuned for more information. Clark County On the Farm March 3, 2018 Come join us on the farm for a day of education focused on the recognition and treatment of farm-related injuries, as well as the transportation of children and adults who have been injured. Photo by Shannon Reese For information or inquiries regarding any of the programs offered by CareFlight Air and Mobile Services, please contact: MANDY VIA, BSN, RN, CEN Outreach Manager CareFlight Air and Mobile Services Phone: (937) Fax: (937) alvia@premierhealth.com Candy Skidmore Vice President Service Integration Emergency/ Trauma/CareFlight Beth Calcidise, RN CareFlight and Premier Transportation Director Mandy Via, RN Outreach Manager Angela Sebald, RN Editor Jeffrey Bell, RN Andrew C. Hawk, MD Molly Nickell, RN Amanda Pulfer, RN Keith Shivers Mandy Via, RN Contributing Writers Kelly Spitler Graphic Design Miami Valley Hospital Mission We will improve the health of the communities we serve with others who share our commitment to provide high-quality, cost-effective health care services. P-C-CFT /18

Air. Currents. CareFlight of Miami Valley Hospital Expands Their Fleet. By Kathy Bennett, RN, EMT-P

Air. Currents. CareFlight of Miami Valley Hospital Expands Their Fleet. By Kathy Bennett, RN, EMT-P Air Issue 1 2010 Currents caption CareFlight of Miami Valley Hospital Expands Their Fleet By Kathy Bennett, RN, EMT-P Premier Health Partners and Miami Valley Hospital CareFlight Air and Mobile Services