Thanks to Sherie for this latest news from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. Ed
Research has recently proven that rapid cooling of the brain effectively reduces brain damage if there has been a short period of time without oxygen. This is already standard practice for patients once they reach hospital and is starting to make it into pre-hospital practice in the UK and around the world.
In August, agreement was reached that Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance doctors should start carrying ice cold fluids on board to be given intravenously to patients when the heart has been successfully restarted following cardiac arrest.
Put to use successfully
Doctor Simon Hughes and Paul Webber, Helimed 56 and SCAS paramedic, were the first to put the protocol to the test when an adult male suffered cardiac arrest in the Kings Somborne area. The patient, who was to all intents and purposes dead upon arrival of the Air Ambulance, was given one litre of intravenous fluid cooled to 4 degrees C.
When handed over to the emergency care team at Southampton General Hospital, he had already been cooled to the target temperature and had been given the best hope of recovery. When Doctor Simon Hughes visited the patient three days later, he was fully conscious, talking and smiling. He was given full heart bypass surgery the following day, and went home to recuperate with his family a few days later.
Doctor Simon Hughes commented,
“The use of cooling fluids is personal to me as my father suffered cardiac arrest in rural France last year. Because of the remote location, cooling fluids were not administered until he reached hospital. He suffered severe brain damage, never regained consciousness and died two weeks later. The treatment is simple, effective and inexpensive as it simply involves keeping intravenous saline in a thermos bag with ice packs.”
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance are also pleased to announce that their aim to have a pre hospital emergency specialist doctor on all missions is progressing well.
John Perry, Chief Executive of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance commented,
“We have an ever increasing presence and we aim to have a doctor on all missions early in 2014. Their presence, and their ability to undertake emergency procedures at the scene of the incident has already proved life saving.
“These are exciting times for us as a charity and these new developments ensure that we remain at the forefront of pre-hospital treatment. Having a doctor on board all our flights, and the use of cooling fluids on a regular basis, will significantly improve the outcome for many of our patients.”
