Computer-assisted diagnosis and abdominal pain.

management prior to transfer was a Glasgow Coma Score of less than 8, as in such unconscious patients airway obstruction may be insidious and unrecognized. In addition, there was a requirement for a guaranteed supply of 100% oxygen (Meredith & Vale, 1988) and a necessity to lower suspected elevation of intracranial pressure by hyperventilation. These needs would have been met by intubation and ventilation. We perform approximately 300 critical care transfers per annum, both by rotary and fixed wing aircraft. We endotracheally intubate 80% of patients to ensure optimum oxygenation and ventilation and would not contemplate transferring an unconscious CO poisoned patient without first protecting the airway in this fashion. Until appropriate patients are accorded this most fundamental intervention, there will continue to be avoidable morbidity and mortality in inter-hospital transfers.