Dr Donald Plumley - Treating Kids with Brain Injuries

Children who suffer traumatic brain injuries usually receive two treatments when they arrive at a hospital: an IV to prevent brain swelling and anti-seizure medication. But one central Florida county is as much as 45 minutes or more away from Level I trauma centers when thunderstorms shut down rescue helicopters. Orlando Health's Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital and Tampa General Hospital are training Polk County paramedics to administer those meds while they're en route, thus saving critical time and making a recovery without long-term neurological issues more likely. We speak with Dr. Donald Plumley, head of pediatric surgery at Arnold Palmer about the initiative.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.