Air Force trauma specialists train civilian counterparts

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Kimberly Spencer
  • 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNEWS) --  Air Force trauma specialists here are training civilian medical personnel on emergency airway management skills.

The training, held Feb. 7 at Wilford Hall Medical Center here, was the first under a new agreement signed by the 59th Medical Wing Trauma Department and San Antonio AirLife.

The agreement, which has been in work for more than a year, is a collaborative learning endeavor to support the care of traumatically injured patients that are brought to Wilford Hall as well as the other trauma centers in San Antonio, said Tracy Cotner-Pouncy, the 59th MDW trauma program manager who has had oversight of the training agreement and acted as liaison with AirLife.

AirLife is an air medical transport service dedicated to rapid transport and medical care of patients requiring critical care 24 hours a day within a 150-mile radius of San Antonio.

"This is a wonderful resource for our flight nurses and paramedics. This allows our personnel to actively participate in airway management, learn state-of-the-art concepts in care and demonstrate proficiency in a controlled environment," said Greg Winters, the AirLife clinical education coordinator.

Under the terms of the agreement, AirLife personnel will perform intubations under the supervision of the Wilford Hall anesthesia staff bi-weekly.

"This agreement will enable the AirLife personnel to maintain their skills and allow us to give them tips on difficult airway intubations," said Sherrilee Demmer, a 59th MDW trauma outcomes manager.

Training was coordinated with the help of staff nurse anesthetist Maj. Jeffery Darius, and the intubations were performed under the supervision of anesthesia staff members nurse anesthetist Penelope Henderson and Maj. (Dr.) Nadeem Hamid, anesthesiologist.

"The rotations were a success, and we are working with AirLife to set up the next group," Ms. Cotner-Pouncy said.

"This is a unique training opportunity for our flight nurses and paramedics," said Shawn Salter, the AirLife director of clinical operations and chief flight nurse. "Maintaining skills and learning progressive approaches to airway management for trauma and medical patients benefits all those who are seriously ill within our region."

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