Arterial blood gas and electrolyte measurement on air ambulances

Arterial blood gas and electrolyte analyses are routinely conducted for critically unwell patients in the hospital setting. Modern and portable point-of care analysers now allow these tests to be performed in the pre-hospital setting. A small number of studies have looked at the potential for performing these tests in the prehospital setting and identified that on-scene testing can alter management of these critical patients. Aims To look at the feasibility of introducing a point-of-care arterial blood gas and electrolyte analyser onto a medically-led air ambulance service. Methods A retrospective review of the mission data for Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) for all missions between 1st January 2007 and 31st December 2007 was conducted. Patients who could potentially benefit from pointof- care analysis were identified. The physical properties of the i-STAT machine were analysed, specifically the operating temperature range. Air ambulance crew members were asked for their opinions o...