Development of an advanced life support patient transfer training program

Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital is relatively isolated from major military or civilian medical centers. Patients there who require a higher level of care are transferred to tertiary facilities. It is standard for nurses or physicians to accompany patients requiring Advanced Cardiac Life Support care during transfer to another facility. A 2-day course was developed to provide nurses and physicians with advanced training in caring for patients during transport. The purpose was to develop a pool of nurses and other health care providers who would be trained and experienced as medical attendants on ground ambulance, rotary-wing aircraft, and fixed-wing aircraft. Nurses were awarded 16.6 contact hours of continuing education, and the course has been submitted for continuing medical education units. On after-action reports, students indicated favorable results but needed more scenario and intubation training. The course is being offered quarterly, has been updated, and continues to be evaluated.