Air medical transport of a patient with placenta accreta.

Air medical transport of high-risk obstetric and postpartum patients accounts for a low number of flights nationwide. Although reflecting a low percentage, they pose potential for increased challenge because of high acuity and increased liability. High-risk obstetrical flight crew education is typically focused on care of the gestational mother and newborn infant, with less time spent on postpartum complications. While uncommon, placenta accreta is one complication that poses a significant mortality risk for postpartum patients. Copyright 2010 Air Medical Journal Associates. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.