Helicopter Cabin Design for Emergency Medical Services and Interhospital Transfer

Abstract

This design concept of a helicopter interior for emergency medical service and interhospital transport focuses on easier and more secure on- and offloading of patients and intuitive use of the monitoring unit, as well as improved access to monitoring and medical technical devices. Comprehensive analysis of work processes and workflow was achieved by video documentation with up to 4 cameras during missions, structured interviews of the crew after completed missions, and analysis of video documentation with captured stills. The result is a solution that works like a drawer. The medical devices are mounted on a guide rail and can be moved out of the helicopter a fixed distance to the transport stretcher. To make monitoring more intuitive, wallmounted monitors are in close proximity to the corresponding technical medical device and high above the patient. The monitoring is in wireless connection with the patient and the detachable monitoring and documentation unit. This design concept unites improved patient and team safety and convenience. With ongoing urbanization, there is an increasing need for airborne medical services in the rural areas. There is a need for immediate help for trauma victims or acutely ill patients, and a rising number of critically ill patients need interhospital transfers. In Germany, there is a trend toward helicopters that are equipped for both needs. Whereas the Eurocopter EC 135 is used for helicopter emergency medical service only, the larger Eurocopter EC 145, a helicopter of the medium-sized, twin-engine helicopter category, is mainly used for interhospital transfer or emergency medical service. In this brief report, we describe a newly designed medical interior concept for a Eurocopter EC 145. At the Munich base of the air rescue organization DRF Luftrettung, with approximately 1,300 missions per year (40% rescue missions, 60% interhospital transfer), we use a Eurocopter EC 145 with a medical interior designed by Aerolite AG (Ennetburgen, Switzerland).