Life Support for Trauma and Transport (LSTAT) Patient Care Platform: Expanding Global Applications and Impact

摘要

The Life Support for Trauma and Transport (LSTAT(TM)) patient care platform looks like a stretcher, but is actually a portable intensive care unit and surgical platform only 15 cm thick. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that, compared to conventional methods, the LSTAT platform improves the efficiency and effectiveness of care from the site of injury, through transport and definitive surgical care. In addition to use by the U.S. military, other nation's military medical communities have begun acquiring LSTAT platforms. By integrating multiple medical, data and utility capabilities into a single compact and light weight system, continuous treatment and monitoring can be provided across the continuum of care on land, air or sea. Therefore, there is little need to disconnect the patient from therapy and monitoring, resulting in the consumption of less time and resources, simplified logistics, and the prospect of improved clinical outcomes. The integrated nature of the platform also accommodates more rapid technology insertion, such as closed loop control of ventilation, infusion and other therapies. The LSTAT platform has been deployed operationally to a number of austere military environments around the globe by medical components of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Special Operations Forces, and National Guard. Preliminary qualitative and quantitative data is being collected to validate the benefits of the platform in both pre- hospital and in-hospital applications. Preliminary data indicates the LSTAT platform is preferred by some medical personnel over conventional methods for the treatment and transport of critically injured patients in certain applications.