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Incidence Of Definitive Airway Management Prior To Arrival Of A Rotary Airmedical Service With The Glasgow Coma Scale As An Indicator, Teresa A. Buckingham

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Definitive airway management is one of the most important aspects of the care of ill or injured patients with a decrease in the level of consciousness. The effect of poor airway management can lead to aspiration, hypoxia, suffocation and death. Definitive airway management is the gold standard of care in patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of less than or equal to eight. Since average flight times to arrive at the patients "bedside" (hospital or accident scene location) are thirty minutes to two hours, the care that the patient receives prior to arrival of the flight crew is vital …