Clinical decision-making documentation of medical air transport personnel.

Decision making is an integral part of quality nursing care and a primary nursing intervention. The aim of this study was to evaluate decision-making documentation and the elements that support decision making in flight nursing practice. The study also examined whether the documentation was adequate to meet standard protocols or guidelines available within the trauma community. The documentation for 48 trauma patients transported by rotor wing aircraft was examined and analyzed. Findings demonstrated that air medical personnel documented decisions that occurred during air transport as well as elements that supported these decisions. The study found that although air medical personnel may not directly document statements of rationale, each decision element was supported by documentation to meet published criteria for making the decision.