In the 1990s, it came to the attention of a critical care nurse in Hawaii that occasionally her patients needed to travel but their health was marginal. It was often necessary for a patient to have medical care close at hand while en route to their destination. At times the nurse would fly with a patient when they traveled by commercial airline. After 10 years as a trauma and flight nurse, she saw a need that she could fill, and that was to accompany patients with ongoing medical needs while they traveled commercially.
A Calming Effect on the Patients
Flying with an ill patient from a vacation to a hospital for immediate treatment is different than dropping a helicopter down to pick up war-wounded soldiers. There are many similarities, though, and both are emergent. A critical care flight nurse traveling in and out of safe locals will have the opportunity to use the knowledge, and experience for what could be a terrifying situation for the patient. Compassion, patience, and organization will help make for an easier trip for the person being escorted. The mere companionship of the nurse can work wonders in terms of the physical and mental health of the ill traveler.
A Nurse Can Save Your Life
Whether you are high in the Andes or on a cruise ship in the Bahamas, if you have acute appendicitis, a pulmonary embolism, or other emergency medical situation, prompt care is available when you use an air service with a critical care flight nurse onboard. The nurses are specially trained in emergency and trauma situations, much as what would be needed in a war zone. A major difference is that they fly in safe areas of the world. Whichever side of the stethoscope you are on, nurses in flight are angels.
