Monitoring during aeromedical evacuations: limitations and concerns

Aeromedical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) of critically ill patient is a risky business. The hostile and unsavory environment of the aircraft subjects not only the patient and the Critical care air transport team (CCATT) but also the monitoring equipment carried to tremendous amount of stress and strain. The monitoring standards required in such alien environment cannot be compromised and in-fact is required a step higher than required in the ground. However most of the equipments are not designed to compensate for such austere conditions. Hence it becomes imperative to understand the nuances of this alien environment on the monitoring equipments which are exposed to changes in pressure, temperature, gravitational forces, noise,vibrations etc.