Vanderbilt LifeFlight

Patients being transported by LifeFlight must meet the following criteria:

Physiologic

• GCS < 13 (does not follow commands) signs and symptoms of shock (rapid heart rate; altered mental status; cool, clammy, pale skin, etc.) Remember, hypotension is a late sign of shock.
• Pediatric Trauma (may not see signs of shock until late)
• Geriatric Trauma (also may not see signs of shock until late)
• Hypothermia
• Airway compromise (actual or potential)
   

Anatomic

• Penetrating injuries to the torso
• Limb paralysis
• Limb amputation proximal to the wrist or ankle where bleeding cannot be controlled
• Trauma combined with burns of >15% particularly on the face or airway
   

Type of Injury

• High speed MVA
• Prolonged extrication
• Fatality within the same vehicle
• Ejection from the same vehicle
• Intrusion into the passenger compartment of vehicle by > 12 inches
• Mechanism of injury should accompany either a physiologic or anatomic criterion

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