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Are You Prepared to Manage the Blast Injury Patient?
Kevin Collopy, MHL, FP-C, NRP, CMTE, FAEMS
Novant Health AirLink/VitaLink
More than 15,000 explosive related incidents occur in the United States each year! Blast events are typically thought of during times of war or as rare major events; unfortunately blast events are actually occurring daily throughout the country. Fortunately, most blast events are unintentional. Despite a growing frequency, limited time is preparing to manage patients following these potentially catastrophic events, which frequently result in multiple patients, essential critical care medicine, and can overwhelm trauma systems.
Come join this engaging conversation that goes in depth into blast injury physiology and patient care. This presentation will discuss the four phases of blast events that can injure patients and describe management strategies for common injury patterns. Explore why critical care transport providers must prepare for this patient population and help expand the conversation about this exploding patient population. Attendees will walk away better prepared to anticipate and manage the injuries blast victims may experience.
Bizarre and Unusual Trauma Case Studies 2026
Allen Wolfe, MMSN, CNS, APRN, CFRN, CCRN, CTRN, TCRN, CMTE, FAASTN
Life Link III
This session explores bizarre and unusual case studies encountered in prehospital and emergency transport, focusing on rare and complex medical and trauma incidents. EMS providers often face situations that challenge standard protocols, requiring quick thinking, adaptability, and critical decision-making.
We will examine four distinct cases: high-voltage electrical injuries, impaled objects, severe burns, and multiple trauma. Each presents unique challenges—electrical injuries can cause hidden internal damage, impaled objects require careful stabilization, burn management demands precise fluid resuscitation and pain control, and multiple trauma cases require effective triage and prioritization. Through real-world examples, we will discuss best practices, lessons learned, and strategies for managing these complex scenarios.
By analyzing these cases, participants will gain insights to enhance their clinical judgment and preparedness, improving patient outcomes in high-risk, unpredictable situations.
Choose Your Own Adventure: Interactive Case Review and Management of the Acute Upper GI Bleed
Joshua Fik, MSN, RN, EMT-P, CFRN, CCRN, CEN
Corewell Health Aero Med
This lecture will present the case of a middle-aged patient with an acute upper GI bleed. This case starts at the sending facility with a critically ill but relatively stable patient, outlines the changes the transport crew assessed, the interventions they performed, and follows care through the patient arriving at the receiving facility (and the patient's outcome.) As we walk through the case review, participants will make their own clinical decisions regarding the management of this critically ill patient. The case review (and its questions) are structured in a 'Choose your own adventure' format. In addition to prompting participants to make their own choices regarding clinical management at multiple 'decision points' throughout the case, they will get immediate feedback as to the result of their choices. Along the way, we will review best practices, evidence, and transport strategies for optimal management of this patient (including blood products, medications, vasopressors, and mechanical 'tamponade' devices for upper GI bleed.)
Critical Illness from the Perspective of the Patient: What is it Like to Lose All Control?
Jacob Keeperman, MD
Global Medical Response
What is it like when the tables are turned and the healthcare provider becomes the patient? During this session the audience will hear from a survivor of critical illness. During his internship, Dr. Keeperman became the patient. His experiences have shaped his practice of medicine and made him a better clinician. Being critically ill is an experience he does not want anyone to have, but he does want to share his knowledge so others can benefit from it.
From first developing the illness, to recognizing the need for help, to realizing the severity of his condition, to the physical and mental effects of being a patient in the ICU, Dr. Keeperman will share the good, the bad, and the ugly. Through storytelling, sharing writings from his family, reviewing pathophysiology, and reflecting on these life altering experiences, the audience will develop an appreciation for ICU delirium, post-traumatic stress disorder, and the effects of these experiences on the patient and the patient's family. You will learn how you can modify your practice to minimize the negative effects.
DOCUMENTATION MATTER$
David Stuhlmiller, MD, FACEP, FAEMS, FAMPA, CMTE
Air Methods / LifeNet of New York
Clinicians are skilled at documenting the traditional elements of a chart including the chief complaint, history of present illness, past medical/family/social history, medications, allergies, physical examination, care provided prior to arrival, patient care delivered during transport, patient reassessments, and even their medical decision-making. All electronic patient care records include these elements as such documentation is crucial for clinical communication and is patient centered. However, does this traditional documentation method support a bill for service? Do clinicians know the reasons for denial of payment of the claim for medical transport? We know that transport medicine is an unique specialty with its own patient care environment, capability, capacity, education, training, equipment, and limitations. Similarly, there are unique documentation requirements for transport medicine.
This presentation focuses on those elements of documentation that transport medicine clinicians need to include in their electronic patient care report to support a bill for service and stand up to a denial of payment of the claim for transport. Clinicians need to know what to document, what not to document, and remain vigilant with current trends in denials of payment for claims as payors change "the rules" often. Ultimately, DOCUMENTATION MATTER$.
Know Your Numbers: Clinical Use of ScvO2, Lactate and Dynamic Measures of Preload Responsiveness
Cindy Goodrich, RN, MS, CCRN, CFRN
Airlift Northwest
Early, aggressive, goal-directed resuscitation improves outcomes. Resuscitation endpoints should rapidly normalize following restoration of tissue perfusion, identify global tissue hypoxia, and allow for dynamic measurement of preload responsiveness to avoid overzealous fluid administration. Many goal-directed resuscitation strategies are using lactate, ScvO2, and dynamic measures of preload as therapeutic endpoints to reflect improving tissue perfusion. ScvO2 and lactate levels allows for identification of underlying global tissue hypoxia. ScvO2, a bedside measure of tissue oxygenation provides early warning and surveillance related to oxygen balance as well as immediate feedback about implemented interventions. Lactate, a cellular marker of perfusion, allows for evaluation of the effectiveness of resuscitation. Dynamic measures of preload predict fluid responsiveness prior to volume administration. This allows for preload optimization without the detrimental effects that occur with excessive fluid administration.
This session challenges experienced critical care practitioners to explore the use of these additional therapeutic endpoints during resuscitation. Use of lactate and ScvO2 monitoring as strategies to identify underlying global tissue hypoxia will be discussed during this session. Dynamic measures of preload responsiveness will also be examined, including PPV, SVV and PLR. Critical thinking using case studies will be encouraged throughout this presentation.
Less Invasive Surfactant Administration: A New Concept
Cody Greenwood
Cook Children's Health Care System
During this 30 minute educational session, Cody Greenwood will be discussing a new procedure that has been added at his facility for the neonatal population to administer Surfactant/Curosurf without the need for endotracheal intubation. Less Invasive Surfactant Administration (LISA) is a specialized skill that has been implemented on the transport team to reduce the need for endotracheal intubation for some of our most fragile patients. Select patients in this cohort can benefit from the administration of Surfactant/Curosurf utilizing the LISA procedure to reduce the risk of barotrauma and the need for ventilatory support. Targeted neonatal patients that have been placed on Bubble CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) and within departmental guidelines are pre-medicated with Fentanyl and “intubated” with a specialized angiocath.
Utilizing the NeoView or other approved apparatus for this procedure, and are then given their dose of Surfactant/Curosurf with close monitoring and allowed to remain on Bubble CPAP. This procedure was trialed by the Neonatology group in selected hospitals prior to training the transport team. With our Neonatal Medical Director’s supervision, all of the team’s Registered Nurses and Respiratory Therapists were trained on the procedure prior to implementation. Utilizing the equipment that would be used at the bedside, staff were instructed on targeted patient populations and the health benefits aimed at reducing endotracheal intubation.
Lost in the OB Desert
Johanna Thompson, BS, FP-C, CCP-C, CP-C, TP-C, C-NPT
Life Link III
Maternal morbidity and mortality are on the rise in the United States, particularly in rural and underserved areas known as "OB deserts," where access to obstetric care is severely limited. This session will explore EMS providers' critical role in managing obstetric emergencies in these challenging environments.
Participants will analyze key assessment findings, vital signs, and appropriate prehospital interventions through an engaging case study of an eclampsia patient. The session will then examine the impact of OB deserts, presenting alarming statistics and discussing the systemic loss of maternal healthcare services in the United States.
To improve outcomes, we will explore solutions such as robust EMS guidelines, structured flowcharts, continuing education through simulated scenarios, and the integration of real-time medical direction. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to enhance their preparedness and response to obstetric emergencies. A Q&A and wrap-up discussion will conclude the session.
Mama Mia, Here We Go Again.....My My, Improving OB Care!
Amy Loucks, RN, BSN, CCRN, CFRN, EMTP, FPC
University of New Mexico Hospitals Lifeguard Emergency and Critical Care Transport
Maternal health is at a crossroads. While advances in obstetric care continue, challenges in maternal morbidity and mortality such as hemorrhage, hypertension, sepsis and health disparities don't just persist, but are getting worse. How can we ensure every mother receives the highest quality care?
This engaging and interactive session will explore the latest advancements and evidence-based strategies in obstetric care to improve outcomes. From early risk identification to timely interventions to standardized protocols, we'll dive into solutions you and your team can implement. Gain actionable insights and best practices to improve outcomes for mothers and babies everywhere! Come be part of the solution to make a lasting impact on maternal care!
Medications in Motion: Pharmacological Options in Critical Care Transport
Michael Gooch, DNP, APRN, CCP, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, ENP-C, CEN, CFRN, CTRN, TCRN, NRP, FAASTN, FAANP, FAEN
Vanderbilt University Medical Center & Vanderbilt University
In critical care transport, timely and informed medication administration is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes. This engaging presentation provides a focused yet comprehensive review of the medications most frequently encountered in critical care transport, including both well-established agents and newer therapies.
Using a structured, body-system approach, the session will examine key aspects of these medications, including their indications, mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, dosing considerations, and potential adverse effects. Through clinical vignettes, participants will explore decision-making scenarios, highlighting challenges such as polypharmacy, medication compatibility, and physiological alterations in critically ill or injured patients.
In addition to reviewing drug classifications and their therapeutic applications, the presentation will address significant drug interactions, contraindications, and special considerations unique to the transport environment, including the impact of transport physiology, hemodynamic instability, and limited resources. The discussion will incorporate current clinical guidelines, best practices, and emerging evidence to ensure participants are equipped with the most up-to-date knowledge.
By the end of this session, attendees will have strengthened their understanding of these medications, enabling them to make confident, evidence-based pharmacologic decisions in emergency and transport settings. Whether managing hemodynamic support, sedation and analgesia, or other essential therapies, participants will leave with valuable insights to enhance patient care and safety in high-acuity transport situations.
Milk, It Does a Body Good…or Does It Almost Kill You? Pediatric Non-Allergic Near-Death Milk Experience
Teri Campbell, MSN, RN, PHRN, CEN, CFRN
University of Chicago UCAN
We’ve all heard the tagline. Our moms served milk with every meal. Come to this shocking pediatric case study to learn how the interface of Autism, ARFID, and milk led to a profound pericardial tamponade and near-lethal cardiovascular consequences. Milk mustache optional!
This lecture will define ARFID, a new(er) eating disorder and describe how patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder are at risk. Participants will learn about the pathophysiology of milk-induced anemia and how the profound iron deficiency affects every system in the body. Parents often do not seek medical care until the child has significant anasarca. This case study is unique as this child had 350cc in a pericardiac effusion tamponade related to third spacing from the iron deficiency anemia, that required urgent cath lab intervention. Complicating care was a hemoglobin of 1.36 and a hematocrit of 5! How was this child alive?
Pediatric Jeopardy: What You Should Know for Kids During Transport
Jennifer Flint, MD
Children's Mercy Hospital
This an interactive Jeopardy session that caters to all learners. Whether you want to sit in the front row and actively participate in the audience response system and compete against your peers, or sit in the back as a silent observer, all will enjoy this engaging session on pediatric transport.
Learners can test their knowledge on a variety of pediatric topics specific to transport medicine and can compete as an individual or as a team. Categories include Trauma Rama , O baby, AMS, teenagers with bad decisions, what's the status asthmaticus, and pediatric transport potpourri. A variety of questions including True/False and multiple choice will be followed by short answers, evidence-based explanations, or short videos demonstrating content in true Jeopardy style using a platform with Jeopardy tiles and score-keeping technology.
Additional Jeopardy questions will be available at the CMH booth for learners who want more content or a more in depth discussion of the learning objectives.
Pulmonary Embolism: What You Don't Know Can Kill Someone
Michael Frakes, MS, APRN, FCCM, FAASTN, FAEN
Boston MedFlight
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a leading cause of preventable death, yet it remains underdiagnosed, mismanaged, and often fatal when not rapidly recognized. This high-impact, expert-level session will challenge common misconceptions and highlight the latest advancements in PE detection, risk stratification, and treatment.
Attendees will explore cutting-edge diagnostic models that reduce unnecessary imaging while improving detection accuracy. We’ll also dive into advanced right ventricular resuscitation techniques, novel catheter-directed therapies, and evolving systemic anticoagulation strategies for various patient populations. From saving a failing right ventricle to leveraging multidisciplinary PE response teams (PERTs), we’ll cover the practical, evidence-based solutions you need to improve outcomes.
This interactive session will also tackle future trends, including AI-driven diagnostics, personalized anticoagulation, and the potential shift toward outpatient PE management. Whether you're on the frontlines of emergency care, critical care, or cardiology, you’ll leave with actionable insights that will immediately enhance your clinical practice.
Don’t miss this chance to sharpen your expertise and rethink everything you know about PE—because what you don’t know can kill someone.
Squeeze the Fun Out of It: Mastering the Art of Vasoactive Medication Delivery
James Boomhower, MS, FP-C, C-NPT, NRP, CCISM
Boston MedFlight
Squeeze the fun out it: mastering the art of vasoactive medication delivery will work to strip away the intimidation factor of critical care pharmacology, offering an engaging and insightful exploration of how to select and utilize vasoactive drugs effectively. This isn't another dry talk on "alpha vs beta" or "when to start vasoactive medications".
Designed for HEMS/CCT professionals this talk combines essential knowledge with practical wisdom, humor, and real-world applications using real world clinical examples. This talk will highlight some of the most commonly used vasoactive agents in the critical care setting, along with highlighting some less often encountered medications and their off label uses.
In a down to earth "what do I need to know at 0300 format" James works to ensure that attendees will leave with a solid understanding of vasoactive medications, including what's the best first-line agent? What’s your backup? What’s your ‘oh crap’ option?” to help you feel empowered to make informed decisions that enhance patient outcomes in critical care settings.
The Dangerously Agitated Patient: Guidance, Best Practice and Application
Michael Jasumback, MD
PHI Air Medical
The management of the agitated patient is fraught with challenge and controversy. This presentation is intended to acquaint the listener with the current state of the problem in the air medical industry and offer practical, evidence based solutions. Driven by multiple incidents in the industry over the last several years, multiple groups have begun work on potential solutions.
This lecture will be driven by discussions with those groups and offer analysis of the problem, key elements that might be required in clinical guidance or protocols. It will offer examples of ways to fulfill those elements that are as evidence based as possible. We will discuss risk stratification of the patient as well as a stratified response to various levels of agitation. Further we will delve into issues of consent, monitoring and stabilization of the acutely agitated patient. In addition, we will discuss the necessity of training, both for pharmacologic and physical control of the dangerously agitated patient. Finally, a discussion of refusal to transport, common fallacies and crew safety will be undertaken.
The Lost Art of Physical Assessment
Sue Parrigin, MSN, CFRN, CTRN, NRP
Global Medical Response
Is the stethoscope dead? Is physical assessment a lost art? In this session, the presenter will make a case for developing and maintaining expert level physical assessment skills to aid in clinical decision making.
During this lively, case-based discussion, we will identify physical assessment findings that are most important in the critical care transport environment. We will also look at how to balance technology and physical assessment. Should the old adage 'treat the patient, not the monitor' be modified to 'treat the patient and the monitor'? Finally, how do we incorporate physical assessment findings into the plan of care and end-point identification.
The case presentation will present real world challenges relatable to all critical care transport providers. Polling and audience participation will be included as we navigate caring for a patient when technology fails.
Tiny Patients, Big Lessons: Neonatal Case Studies
Callie Searley, BSN, C-NPT
Children’s Hospital Colorado
This lecture offers flight team professionals an in-depth exploration of neonatal cases that can be encountered in transport, focusing on critical conditions of the newborn. Using real-life case studies, participants will examine key clinical signs, diagnostic tests and transport considerations for managing critically ill infants from birth through 1 month of life. The participants will engage in interactive discussions on differential diagnoses, lab work, physical exam, treatment options and transport considerations for each case. They will gain insight into current neonatal transport protocols, including updated NRP recommendations. Explore the clinical presentation of a three-week old infant with "breath holding spells" and possible seizure activity. Examine the complexities of a neonatal resuscitation during an emergency delivery at rural ED, including a discussion on PALS vs NRP. Discuss the current recommendations for neonatal RSI for a five-day-old with apneic episodes and what the underlying etiology might be. This lecture is designed to provide healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to handle high-risk neonatal and pediatric transports, ultimately improving outcomes for critically ill and injured infants.
Transfusion Medicine: Compatibility, Best Practices, and Reactions
Michael McCartin, MD
University of Chicago Aeromedical Network (UCAN)
Blood transfusion is a critical intervention in emergency and prehospital medicine, but optimizing its use requires an evidence-based approach. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of transfusion medicine, focusing on indications, component selection, massive transfusion protocols (MTP), and the latest evidence on whole blood use in trauma and critical care.
Participants will also gain practical knowledge on recognizing and managing transfusion reactions, including hemolytic, febrile, allergic, and TRALI/TACO, which are essential for improving patient safety. The session will integrate landmark studies and real-world case applications to help providers make informed transfusion decisions, reduce complications, and optimize outcomes in both prehospital and hospital settings.
In addition to best practices for trauma and resuscitation, this session will cover special transfusion considerations, such as the management of RhD-positive blood products in females of childbearing potential, the role of prehospital blood administration, and unique challenges in air medical transport.
Designed for paramedics, flight crews, emergency physicians, and critical care providers, this talk will ensure attendees leave with an updated, practical, and evidence-based approach to transfusion medicine in trauma, shock, and critical illness.
Traumatic Electrocution: Hanging From the Power Lines Post-Ejection
Laurel Whittemore, CFRN, Life Flight Network
Kennedy Littledike, Survivor
Ever wonder what might be going through your patient's mind during a major traumatic event? In this presentation, we see our perspective (EMS/Fire) as well as the patient's perspective (a 17-year-old girl who just wanted to watch the sunset with her friends).
This happy-ending 2-part presentation highlights the challenges of a small-town Emergency Response System to handle a multi-victim trauma scene that isn't safe upon arrival, the collaboration of multiple teams to successfully rescue and treat a critical patient, and the patient's point of view throughout the process. We'll cover a rapid review of electricity/electrical burns and current recommendations as well as have audience interaction and pauses for discussion.
As we'll have the actual patient with us, Part II of the presentation will be what she experienced in her own words. Enjoy multiple pictures from the scene, the hospital, and post-discharge as the patient shares what she's now able to do because she is alive!
When Critters Bite and Sting: Management of Envenomations
Michael Gooch, DNP, APRN, CCP, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, ENP-C, CEN, CFRN, CTRN, TCRN, NRP, FAASTN, FAANP, FAEN
Vanderbilt University Medical Center & Vanderbilt University
Environmental emergencies involving envenomations pose unique challenges for air medical and critical care transport providers. Bites and stings from various species—including hymenoptera (bees, wasps, and ants), venomous spiders, scorpions, snakes, and aquatic creatures—can lead to a wide range of clinical presentations, from mild localized reactions to life-threatening systemic toxicity. Given the rarity of some envenomations, many emergency providers have limited hands-on experience in their management, making rapid recognition and intervention essential.
This presentation will provide a comprehensive review of common and uncommon envenomations, emphasizing their pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and potential complications such as anaphylaxis, neurotoxicity, coagulopathies, and organ failure. Special considerations for medical transport—such as airway management, hemodynamic stabilization, and antivenin administration will be discussed.
Participants will also review the latest evidence-based treatment guidelines and best practices to enhance patient outcomes in transport settings. Case studies will illustrate key management principles, equipping attendees with the knowledge and confidence to handle envenomations effectively in transport settings.
Battlefield to Bedside: Pediatric Remote Damage Control Resuscitation in Civilian Prehospital Care
Robert Grabowski, DNP, MBA, APRN-CNP, AGACNP-BC, CPNP-AC, CEN, CCRN, CFRN, CMTE, EMT-P
Children's Nebraska
Pediatric trauma remains a complex challenge in prehospital and transport medicine, particularly in remote or resource-limited environments. Military experience in Remote Damage Control Resuscitation (RDCR) has driven significant advancements in hemorrhage control, resuscitation strategies, and trauma system optimization—many of which can be adapted for civilian use.
This session will explore the epidemiology of pediatric trauma, key principles of damage control resuscitation, and emerging research surrounding the use of blood products, transfusion adjunct therapies, and resuscitation goals in pediatric patients. Special emphasis will be placed on strategies for hemostatic resuscitation, hypothermia prevention, and monitoring techniques, all tailored to meet the physiologic and logistical challenges unique to children.
Through real-world case studies and data from both military and civilian trauma systems, we will highlight the challenges of applying RDCR principles in pediatric care, including system-level barriers, age-specific considerations, and resource constraints in the prehospital setting. Participants will leave with a practical framework for integrating battlefield-proven resuscitation techniques into civilian EMS, transport, and hospital-based care, ultimately improving pediatric trauma survival.
Whether you are a prehospital provider, transport clinician, or trauma team member, this session will provide evidence-based insights and tactical applications to help you refine your approach to pediatric damage control resuscitation and ensure that critically injured children receive the best possible care—no matter where they are.
Blast From the Past: Vaccine Preventable Diseases
Kelly Edwards, FP-C, CEN, FNP-C
Haiti Air Ambulance
The year may be 2025, but diseases from 1925 are coming back. This is not the plot to a Hollywood movie. Vaccine preventable diseases have been making a comeback in the United States, and worldwide. As vaccination rates decline, herd immunity also declines, creating the potential for re-emergence of deadly disease. As the number of patients with vaccine preventable diseases increases, critical care transport providers can expect to encounter these patients and be prepared to manage these patients.
In this session, attendees will have the opportunity to review the pathophysiology, symptoms, and management strategies for the three most concerning vaccine preventable diseases. The presenter will also briefly discuss other vaccine preventable diseases that could be concerning in the future. This is an opportunity to learn from a provider who has been managing vaccine preventable diseases for the last few years in a developing nation, including transport of these patients by air.
Calm Before the Storm: A Tale of Surviving the Twister
Danielle Goodrich, BA, FP-C, CCP-C
University of Vermont Health Network
Douglas George, MD, FAEMS
University of Vermont Health Network
Have you ever thought about how many shocks your defibrillation pads can administer? What about how many times a patient can survive being defibrillated without causing irreversible damage? Come help us weather the storm as we discuss recurrent and refractory arrythmias in this Choose Your Own Adventure case review.
The audience will lead the direction of patient care in this real life case review by answering interactive poll questions which will prompt discussions surrounding; diagnostic criteria and differential diagnosis of recurrent ventricular arrhythmias, ECG interpretation as it pertains to directing care, comparing pharmacologic agents (to include those antiarrhythmic medications in ACLS we never use), sympatholytic strategies, Hail Mary treatments, operational decision making, and outside the box thinking in the transport environment. The focus of this session is to develop clinical decision making surrounding the treatment of a 60-year-old male with seizures complicated by multiple ventricular arrythmias, and a few other twists!
Dirty Labs, Clean Saves: Labs That Change the Game
Charles Swearignen, BS, NRP, FP-C
University of Mississippi | MeduPros.com
Lab results are often handed off during transport like hot potatoes—hurried, half-explained, and easily overlooked. But the right lab value, in the right hands, can change the entire trajectory of patient care. This fast-paced, high-yield session is designed for flight medics, nurses, and critical care transport teams who want to sharpen their interpretation skills and stop flying blind. No one wants that.
We’ll break down the lab values that actually matter in transport—those that indicate deterioration, demand intervention, or signal “do not pass go” moments. From lactate levels that scream shock to troponins that change destinations to ABGs that hide silent killers—this session is about making sense of the numbers in real time. You’ll walk away with practical frameworks, transport-specific insights, and a renewed respect for the power of a “dirty” lab to lead to a clean save.
No fluff. No filler. Just labs that matter when the clock is ticking.
From Provider to Patient: A Flight Paramedics Story of Aortic Dissection
Jason Bazelow, FP-C CCEMTP
Lenoir Community College
Early detection and management of any disease process is paramount to a good outcome. However, what if you had early detection, treatment wasn’t indicated and a few weeks later you had to say goodbye to your family? On March 9th, 2023, that’s exactly what happened to this speaker. Diagnosed with an enclosed rupture of the ascending aorta, he was rushed to the operating room hypotensive and bradycardic. The team worked feverishly for the next 8 hours during which time he was put in profound hypothermic arrest as they tried to keep him from bleeding to death. The next morning, on his 47th birthday, he woke up in the ICU, restrained and intubated.
As a critical care flight paramedic, Jason has transported countless numbers of patients diagnosed with aortic aneurisms. This presentation will not only detail what aortic dissections are, but what it feels like being on the other side of surviving one.
Hypotension in the Neonate: They're NOT Just Little Adults
Chad Barber, MD
Cook Children's Medical Center
What is hypotension in a neonate and how do you treat it appropriately? Is this based purely on the mean blood pressure, or are there other factors to consider? When a baby is born and the cord is cut, many things change. As the cardiovascular system of a preterm neonate matures over time, the actual composition of a baby's cardiac structure changes, which impacts how babies respond to different pressors.
This session will review the physiological development of the preterm and term newborn's cardiovascular system, and attempt to define hypotension in the newborn. Then, we will explore various treatment options, including volume expanders and different pressors. Once you understand the physiology, the treatment options and how they work in both preterm and term neonates, you can make a more informed decision when choosing the best pressor for your patient, no matter their gestational age. You will become confident in managing hypotension in neonates, even if your treatment choices are limited while transporting our tiniest patients.
Managing Acute Ischemic Stroke During Air Transport: From Rotor to Cath Lab
Robert Donovan, MD, FACEP
PHI Airmedical – California
Time is brain in acute ischemic stroke (AIS), and air medical transport plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between symptom onset and definitive care. This presentation, co-led by a physician-medical director of an air ambulance program and a neuro-interventional radiologist directing a comprehensive stroke center, offers a comprehensive look at optimizing AIS management from pre-hospital air transport to interventional treatment. Attendees will gain insights into the critical interplay between rapid transport logistics and advanced stroke care, tailored to the unique challenges of the air medical environment.
The session begins with pre-transport strategies, including patient assessment using the NIHSS, stabilization of airway, breathing, and circulation, and coordination with receiving stroke centers. In-flight management will cover continuous monitoring, blood pressure control, oxygen supplementation at altitude, and handling complications like seizures—all adapted to the constraints of air transport. The presentation then transitions to the neuro-interventional perspective, detailing seamless handoff to the cath lab and the latest techniques in mechanical thrombectomy, emphasizing time-critical coordination. A real-world case study from our program will illustrate these principles in action, showcasing improved outcomes through integrated care.
Designed for AMTC’s diverse audience—physicians, nurses, paramedics, and administrators—this session blends practical clinical guidance with operational insights, addressing altitude effects, limited resources, and crew training. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to enhance AIS care across the transport-treatment continuum, reinforcing the vital link between rotor wings and stroke recovery.
Silent Storm: When the Flu Turns Fatal
Teresa Zingale, DNP, APRN-NP, CPNP-AC/PC
Children' Nebraska - Critical Care Transport
This lecture is based on a case review about a 4 year old patient who was diagnosed with Influenza A but quickly deteriorated once she starting having significant neurological changes. There will be twists and turns shining light on what was actually (or suspected) going on inside her brain and how it quickly turned fatal. A review of the pathophysiology of influenza A-related encephalitis and cerebral edema with transport considerations and challenges in this case will be discussed, as well as key take aways for the critical care transport team caring for the pediatric patient. The importance of quick and pertinent interventions is crucial while transporting the patient to a pediatric hospital as quickly and safely as possible, along with the dramatic changes that were witnessed before our eyes during the transport. And ask: when is the best time to obtain imaging?
We will talk about the moral distress that these critically ill patients can cause for providers, even though they are with the patient for such a short time. We can also discuss how to navigate the distress from difficult transports that result in undesirable outcomes.
The Video Never Lies: Advanced Video Laryngoscopy
Dylan Morris, MD, MBA, STAT MedEvac / UPMC
Video assisted laryngoscopy is not the same skill as direct laryngoscopy. The tool is immensely powerful, but when used improperly can lead to false confidence or even make intubation more difficult.
This session will help learners to better understand the how and why of when video intubation goes well. We will review the relevant anatomy, particularly as it relates to patient positioning. Speakers will demonstrate how the view through a video device may be falsely reassuring or even make tube delivery more challenging than necessary.
Most importantly, it will demonstrate common failure points and how to troubleshoot them in real time. This will all be done by reviewing high definition videos of real intubations from the field. Our service has amassed thousands of videos and we have hand picked the most educational to share with you. Learners will leave this session with new skills, muscle memory and trouble shooting techniques to help avoid video laryngoscopy pitfalls.