Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Team Research Articles

Outcomes of prehospital traumatic cardiac arrest managed by helicopter emergency medical service personnel in Japan: a registry data analysis

BackgroundTraumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) is associated with poor outcomes. Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMSs) are often used to transport critically ill patients to hospitals. However, the role of HEMS in the treatment of TCA remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to determine the current status of patients with prehospital TCA managed by HEMS personnel in Japan and compare the outcomes of patients who experienced TCA before and after the arrival of HEMS.MethodsThe Japanese Society for Aeromedical Services registry data of patients managed by HEMS personnel from April 2015 to March 2020 were analyzed in this retrospective cohort study. HEMS arrival and physicians’ interventions at the scene were the variables of interest. The survival rate and neurological outcomes at 28 days after injury were analyzed.ResultsOf the 55 299 registered patients, 722 who experienced prehospital TCA were included in the analysis. The distribution of first-witnessed TCA was as follows: pre-emergency medical service (EMS) arrival (n = 426/722, 60.3%), after EMS arrival (n = 113/722, 16.0%), and after HEMS arrival (n = 168/722, 23.8%). The 28-day survival rate was 6.2% (n = 44/706), with a cerebral performance category of 1 or 2 in 18 patients. However, patients who experienced TCA after receiving interventions provided by physicians before HEMS arrival had the worst outcomes, with only 0.6% of them surviving with favorable neurological outcomes. Multivariable analysis revealed that securing the intravenous route by the EMS team (adjusted odds ratio: 2.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11–5.30) and tranexamic acid infusion by the HEMS team (adjusted odds ratio: 2.78, 95% CI: 1.16–6.64) may have increased the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) rate.ConclusionsThe results of our study were similar to those reported in previous studies with regards to the use of HEMS in Japan for transporting patients with TCA. Our findings suggest that in patients with severe trauma, cardiac arrest after initiation of HEMS, the highest level of prehospital medical intervention, may be associated with an inferior prognosis. Tracheal intubation and administration of tranexamic acid by the EMS team may increase the rate of ROSC in TCA.

Prehospital Management of Penetrating Neck Injuries: An Evaluation of Practice

ObjectivePenetrating neck injuries (PNIs) can occur at multiple anatomic sites and involve airway, nerve, vascular, and gastrointestinal structures. They pose a unique challenge to clinicians, especially in the prehospital setting. Published guidance on the prehospital management of PNIs is limited, and there is no review of the current prehospital practice. MethodsA retrospective electronic case note review of PNIs managed within 1 UK helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) over a 7-year period was undertaken. Data were collected on the zone of injury, mechanism of injury, prehospital times, patient demographics, prehospital interventions, and on-scene mortality. ResultsNinety-eight patients met the study inclusion criteria, 40% of whom had zone 2 neck injuries. Eighty-three percent were male with a mean age of 42 years. The predominant injury mechanism was interpersonal violence (51%) followed by self-harm (47%). Fifteen percent underwent prehospital emergency anesthesia, 17% underwent prehospital blood transfusion, and 30% had a hemostatic dressing applied. No patients underwent cervical spine immobilization. One percent underwent resuscitative thoracotomy. Five percent were pronounced life extinct after HEMS arrival following interventions by the HEMS team. ConclusionTime-critical and emergent interventions in this select patient population must be minimal and focus on optimizing care during rapid transfer to the hospital. Airway and hemorrhagic pathologies must be managed, often concomitantly. Targeted injury prevention to reduce interpersonal violence must ensue. The author group intends to devise a national Delphi and derive consensus guidelines for the management of prehospital PNIs.

Predictors of post-intubation hypotension in trauma patients following prehospital emergency anaesthesia: a multi-centre observational study

BackgroundPost-intubation hypotension (PIH) after prehospital emergency anaesthesia (PHEA) is prevalent and associated with increased mortality in trauma patients. The objective of this study was to compare the differential determinants of PIH in adult trauma patients undergoing PHEA.MethodsThis multi-centre retrospective observational study was performed across three Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) in the UK. Consecutive sampling of trauma patients who underwent PHEA using a fentanyl, ketamine, rocuronium drug regime were included, 2015–2020. Hypotension was defined as a new systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 90 mmHg within 10 min of induction, or > 10% reduction if SBP was < 90 mmHg before induction. A purposeful selection logistic regression model was used to determine pre-PHEA variables associated with PIH.ResultsDuring the study period 21,848 patients were attended, and 1,583 trauma patients underwent PHEA. The final analysis included 998 patients. 218 (21.8%) patients had one or more episode(s) of hypotension ≤ 10 min of induction. Patients > 55 years old; pre-PHEA tachycardia; multi-system injuries; and intravenous crystalloid administration before arrival of the HEMS team were the variables significantly associated with PIH. Induction drug regimes in which fentanyl was omitted (0:1:1 and 0:0:1 (rocuronium-only)) were the determinants with the largest effect sizes associated with hypotension.ConclusionThe variables significantly associated with PIH only account for a small proportion of the observed outcome. Clinician gestalt and provider intuition is likely to be the strongest predictor of PIH, suggested by the choice of a reduced dose induction and/or the omission of fentanyl during the anaesthetic for patients perceived to be at highest risk.

Helicopter inter-hospital transfer for patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a retrospective 12-year analysis of a service system

BackgroundPatients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are critically ill and show high mortality. Inter-hospital transfer of these patients has to be safe, with high survival rates during transport without potentially serious and life-threatening adverse events. The Swiss Air-Rescue provides 24-h/7-days per week inter-hospital helicopter transfers that include on-site ECMO cannulation if needed. This retrospective observational study describes adverse events of patients on ECMO transported by helicopter, and their associated survival.MethodsAll patients on ECMO with inter-hospital transfer by helicopter from start of service in February 2009 until May 2021 were included. Patients not transported by helicopter or with missing medical records were excluded. Patient demographics (age, sex) and medical history (type of and reason for ECMO), mission details (flight distance, times, primary or secondary transport), adverse events during the inter-hospital transfer, and survival of transferred patients were recorded. The primary endpoint was patient survival during transfer. Secondary endpoints were adverse events during transfer and 28-day survival.ResultsWe screened 214 ECMO-related missions and included 191 in this analysis. Median age was 54.6 [IQR 46.1–62.0] years, 70.7% were male, and most patients had veno-arterial ECMO (56.5%). The main reasons for ECMO were pulmonary (46.1%) or cardiac (44.0%) failure. Most were daytime (69.8%) and primary missions (n = 100), median total mission time was 182.0 [143.0–254.0] min, and median transfer distance was 52.7 [33.2–71.1] km. All patients survived the transfer. Forty-four adverse events were recorded during 37 missions (19.4%), where 31 (70.5%) were medical and none resulted in patient harm. Adverse events occurred more frequently during night-time missions (59.9%, p = 0.047). Data for 28-day survival were available for 157 patients, of which 86 (54.8%) were alive.ConclusionAll patients under ECMO survived the helicopter transport. Adverse events were observed for about 20% of the flight missions, with a tendency during the night-time flights, none harmed the patients. Inter-hospital transfer for patients undergoing ECMO provided by 24-h/7-d per week helicopter emergency medical service teams can be considered as feasible and safe. The majority of the patients (54.8%) were still alive after 28 days.

Multicentre observational study on practice of prehospital management of hypotensive trauma patients: the SPITFIRE study protocol

IntroductionMajor haemorrhage after injury is the leading cause of preventable death for trauma patients. Recent advancements in trauma care suggest damage control resuscitation (DCR) should start in the prehospital phase...

Lessons learned from the first 50 COVID-19 critical care transfer missions conducted by a civilian UK Helicopter Emergency Medical Service team

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has placed exceptional demand on Intensive Care Units, necessitating the critical care transfer of patients on a regional and national scale. Performing these transfers required specialist expertise and involved moving patients over significant distances. Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex created a designated critical care transfer team and was one of the first civilian air ambulances in the United Kingdom to move ventilated COVID-19 patients by air. We describe the practical set up of such a service and the key lessons learned from the first 50 transfers.MethodsRetrospective review of air critical care transfer service set up and case review of first 50 transfers.ResultsWe describe key elements of the critical care transfer service, including coordination and activation; case interrogation; workforce; training; equipment; aircraft modifications; human factors and clinical governance. A total of 50 missions are described between 18 December 2020 and 1 February 2021. 94% of the transfer missions were conducted by road. The mean age of these patients was 58 years (29–83). 30 (60%) were male and 20 (40%) were female. The mean total mission cycle (time of referral until the time team declared free at receiving hospital) was 264 min (range 149–440 min). The mean time spent at the referring hospital prior to leaving for the receiving unit was 72 min (31–158). The mean transfer transit time between referring and receiving units was 72 min (9–182).ConclusionCritically ill COVID-19 patients have highly complex medical needs during transport. Critical care transfer of COVID-19-positive patients by civilian HEMS services, including air transfer, can be achieved safely with specific planning, protocols and precautions. Regional planning of COVID-19 critical care transfers is required to optimise the time available of critical care transfer teams.

Safety during interhospital helicopter transfer of ventilated COVID-19 patients. No clinical relevant changes in vital signs including non-invasive cardiac output

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic in The Netherlands, critically ill ventilated COVID-19 patients were transferred not only between hospitals by ambulance but also by the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS). To date, little is known about the physiological impact of helicopter transport on critically ill patients and COVID-19 patients in particular. This study was conducted to explore the impact of inter-hospital helicopter transfer on vital signs of mechanically ventilated patients with severe COVID-19, with special focus on take-off, midflight, and landing.MethodsAll ventilated critically ill COVID-19 patients who were transported between April 2020 and June 2021 by the Dutch ‘Lifeliner 5’ HEMS team and who were fully monitored, including noninvasive cardiac output, were included in this study. Three 10-min timeframes (take-off, midflight and landing) were defined for analysis. Continuous data on the vital parameters heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, arterial blood pressure, end-tidal CO2 and noninvasive cardiac output using electrical cardiometry were collected and stored at 1-min intervals. Data were analyzed for differences over time within the timeframes using one-way analysis of variance. Significant differences were checked for clinical relevance.ResultsNinety-eight patients were included in the analysis. During take-off, an increase was noticed in cardiac output (from 6.7 to 8.2 L min−1; P < 0.0001), which was determined by a decrease in systemic vascular resistance (from 1071 to 739 dyne·s·cm−5, P < 0.0001) accompanied by an increase in stroke volume (from 88.8 to 113.7 mL, P < 0.0001). Other parameters were unchanged during take-off and mid-flight. During landing, cardiac output and stroke volume slightly decreased (from 8.0 to 6.8 L min−1, P < 0.0001 and from 110.1 to 84.4 mL, P < 0.0001, respectively), and total systemic vascular resistance increased (P < 0.0001). Though statistically significant, the found changes were small and not clinically relevant to the medical status of the patients as judged by the attending physicians.ConclusionsInterhospital helicopter transfer of ventilated intensive care patients with COVID-19 can be performed safely and does not result in clinically relevant changes in vital signs.

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests During the Initial COVID-19 Lockdown Versus Nonpandemic: A Comparison

ObjectiveCOVID-19 may have contributed to an excess of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OOHCAs). This observational study identified changes in OOHCA epidemiology pre– and post–COVID-19 lockdown in a single UK helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS). MethodsA retrospective, single-center (Essex & Herts Air Ambulance), observational study was undertaken with anonymized OOHCA data (demographics, etiology, and outcomes) from March 23, 2020, to June 23, 2020, and comparative data from March 23, 2019, to June 23, 2019. Supplementary data (total OOHCAs and patient outcomes) were provided by the East of England Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test; P < .05 was statistically significant.Results: Of the HEMS activations during national lockdown, 33.6% were for OOHCAs compared with 25.8% during the reference time frame. The frequency of young and female OOHCAs demonstrated a statistically significant increase. Statistically significant variations in medical etiology and initial cardiac rhythm were identified. ConclusionDuring the initial UK-wide lockdown, the OOHCA characteristics attended by 1 HEMS team were altered. The changes seen may be due to the pathophysiology of COVID-19 or an alteration in dispatch due to the demand placed on the wider ambulance service; this may require further consideration for any future lockdowns or pandemics.

Secondary Transfers to University Hospitals in Patients Primarily Triaged to District General Hospitals by the Danish Helicopter Emergency Medical Service: A National Population-Based Study

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to analyze data from the Danish helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) database, focusing on patients undergoing a secondary transfer from district general hospitals (DGHs) to university hospitals within 24 hours of the initial emergency call. MethodsThis is a national population-based study analyzing HEMS patients undergoing a secondary transfer between October 1, 2014, and April 30, 2018. ResultsFifty-three (2.9%) of the 1,846 patients initially triaged to a DGH by the HEMS team required a secondary transfer. These 53 patients constituted 0.7% of all 7,133 patients seen by the HEMS teams during the study period. More than 60% of these patients were initially treated for either a cardiovascular or a neurologic emergency. HEMS-escorted patients had a mortality rate at day 30 of 14.3% (95% confidence interval, 4.8-38.0), and the HEMS-assisted group had a mortality rate at day 30 of 3.1% (95% CI, 0.5-20.2). ConclusionPatients initially triaged to a DGH by the HEMS teams seldomly required a secondary transfer, indicating a low degree of prehospital undertriage for direct transfer to a university hospital. Cardiovascular or neurologic emergencies were the major reasons for transportation. Mortality seems comparable with that in the general population of patients treated by the Danish HEMS teams.

A Nationwide Retrospective Analysis of Out-of-Hospital Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Treated by Helicopter Emergency Medical Service in the Netherlands

ObjectiveThere is generally limited but conflicting literature on the incidence, causes, and outcomes of pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This study was performed to determine the incidence and outcome of pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest reported by all helicopter emergency medical services in the Netherlands and to provide a description of causes and treatments and, in particular, a description of the specific interventions that can be performed by a physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical service. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed of all documented pediatric (0 < 18 years of age) out-of-hospital cardiac arrests from July 2015 to July 2017, attended by all 4 Dutch helicopter emergency medical service teams. ResultsTwo hundred two out-of-hospital cardiac arrests were identified. The overall incidence in the Netherlands is 3.5 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in children per 100,000 pediatric inhabitants. The overall survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest was 11.4%. Eleven (52%) of the survivors were in the drowning group and between 12 and 96 months of age. ConclusionHelicopter emergency medical services are frequently called to pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the Netherlands. The survival rate is normal to high compared with other countries. The 12- to 96-month age group and drowning seem to have a relatively favorable outcome.

Helicopter Transportation of Brazilian Trauma Patients: A Comparison of Times to Care

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to analyze helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) transport with secondary land ambulance transfer, comparing landings performed inside and outside the hospital complex to the emergency department. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional observational study of HEMS transports of trauma patients between 2016 and 2018 in southern Brazil. Patients were attended by the HEMS team at the trauma site or stabilized in hospitals nearby and subsequently referred to trauma centers. In this region, no trauma centers have their own helipads so helicopters land in remote areas close to the hospital, which may be inside or outside the hospital complex. Both landings require ground emergency medical service transport, with off-site landings necessitating ground emergency medical service transport via public access roads to reach the hospital. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and on-site and off-site transport times were compared using a t-test for independent samples. ResultsOf 176 transports, 28.5% resulted in on-site landings, whereas 71.5% occurred off-site. The ground transport time when the landing zone was off-site was 5 minutes longer than on-site (P < .001). ConclusionOff-site landings result in longer transports to the emergency room. The construction of helipads in trauma centers can reduce transport time, in addition to reducing the costs and sequelae of trauma.

High-Fidelity Simulation Training for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Flight Nurses: A Report From the First Italian Experience

ObjectiveSimulation-based training has a significant effect in enhancing professionals’ skills in the helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) setting and is reported to be more effective than other learning strategies. The main objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of a specific high-fidelity simulation (HFS) training course for HEMS nurses before entering into operational service. MethodsThis report describes the first Italian experience of a specifically designed HFS training program for HEMS nurses held in Bologna, Italy, in a dedicated scenario with a mock-up helicopter and an advanced mannequin. ResultsA total of 14 nurses participated in the SAFE2019 (Simulazione ad Alta Fedeltà per l'Elisoccorso–High-Fidelity Simulation for HEMS) courses. The aspects considered most useful and effective were related to team working, communication issues, and nontechnical skills (NTS) development. Moreover, participants suggested implementing a series of scheduled HFS retraining sessions. ConclusionHFS in a dedicated HEMS scenario during the orientation period has contributed to enhanced technical competencies and NTS, increasing comfort and situational awareness for new entrant flight nurses. Simulation may represent a valuable resource to assess and maintain competencies through periodic retraining sessions for full HEMS teams or when new devices are adopted.

Helicopter transport of critical care COVID-19 patients in the Netherlands: protection against COVID-19 exposure-a challenge to critical care retrieval personnel in a novel operation

BackgroundDuring the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the Netherlands, the demand for intensive care beds exceeded availability within days. Initially, patients were redistributed regionally by ground transport. When transport over longer distances became necessary, we initiated a new Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) operation. We hypothesize that the transport of contagious COVID-19 patients is feasible and safe for patients and HEMS personnel.MethodsIn this retrospective, single-centre observational study, flight and monitor data were used to calculate the exposure time of the retrieval team to COVID-19 patients. All the crew members (n = 18) were instructed on the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), dressing and undressing routine using buddy check supervision and cleaning procedures. All the team members were monitored for possible COVID-19 symptoms, as advised by our National Institute for Health and Environment.One month after completing the aeromedical transport all crew members were asked to donate a blood sample which was examined for the presence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2.ResultsFrom March 24 to May 25, 2020 the HEMS team transported 67 ventilated critical care COVID-19 patients. The exposure time was 7451 min (124 h and 11 min). One HEMS member reported pneumonia 6 weeks before the start of the patient transport. He tested positive for IgG SARS-CoV-2 by serology testing. We speculate that he was infected before the start of the operation; irrefutable evidence is lacking to support this claim because we did not perform serology testing before this operation started.ConclusionOccupational COVID-19 exposure during helicopter transport of ventilated critical care COVID-19 patients can be performed safely when proper PPE is applied.

Short-term and long-term survival in critical patients treated by helicopter emergency medical services in Finland: a registry study of 36 715 patients

ObjectivesThis study aimed to describe the short-term and long-term mortality of patients treated by prehospital critical care teams in Finland.Design and settingWe performed a registry-based retrospective study that included all...

Feasibility of Prehospital Rapid Sequence Intubation in the Cabin of an AW169 Helicopter

ObjectivePrehospital rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is an important aspect of prehospital care for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS). This study examines the feasibility of in-aircraft (aircraft on the ground) RSI in different simulated settings. MethodsUsing an AW169 aircraft cabin simulator at Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex, 3 clinical scenarios were devised. All required RSI in a “can intubate, can ventilate” (easy variant) and a “can't intubate, can't ventilate” scenario (difficult variant). Doctor-paramedic HEMS teams were video recorded, and elapsed times for prespecified end points were analyzed. ResultsEndotracheal intubation (ETI) was achieved fastest outside the simulator for the easy variant (median = 231 seconds, interquartile range = 28 seconds). Time to ETI was not significantly longer for in-aircraft RSI compared with RSI outside the aircraft, both in the easy (p = .14) and difficult variant (p = .50). Wearing helmets with noise distraction did not impact the time to intubation when compared with standard in-aircraft RSI, both in the easy (p = .28) and difficult variant (p = .24). ConclusionIn-aircraft, on-the-ground RSI had no significant impact on the time to successful completion of ETI. Future studies should prospectively examine in-cabin RSI and explore the possibilities of in-flight RSI in civilian HEMS services.

The ticking clock: does actively making an enhanced care team aware of the passage of time improve pre-hospital scene time following traumatic incidents?

IntroductionPre-hospital enhanced care teams like Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) are often dispatched to major trauma patients, including patients with traumatic brain injuries and those with major haemorrhage. For these patients, minimizing the time to definitive care is vital. The aim of this study was to determine whether increased awareness of elapsed on scene time produces a relevant time performance improvement for major trauma patients attended by HEMS, and weather introducing such a timer was feasible and acceptable to clinicians.MethodsWe performed a prospective cohort study of all single casualty traumatic incidents attended by Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex (AAKSS) between 15 October 2016 and 23 May 2017 to test if introduction of a prompting scene timer within the service resulted in a reduction in pre-hospital scene times.ResultsThe majority of the patients attended were male (74%) and sustained blunt trauma (92%). Overall, median scene time was 25.5 [IQR16.3] minutes before introduction of the scene timer and 23.0 [11.0] minutes after introduction, p = 0.13). Scene times for patients with a GCS < 8 and for patients requiring prehospital anaesthesia were significantly lower after introduction of the timer (28 [IQR 14] vs 25 [1], p = 0.017 and 34 [IQR 13] vs 28 [IQR11] minutes, p = 0.007 respectively). The majority of clinicians felt the timer made them more aware of passing time (91%) but that this had not made a difference to scene time (62%) or their practice (57%).ConclusionAudible scene timers may have the potential to reduce pre-hospital scene time for certain single casualty trauma patients treated by a HEMS team, particularly for those patients needing pre-hospital anaesthesia. Regular use of on-scene timers may improve outcomes by reducing time to definitive care for certain subgroups of trauma patients.

Emergency Airways After Himalayan Black Bear Attacks in Bhutan

Although bear attacks on humans are uncommon, the incidence has slowly risen as human populations increasingly encroach on wilderness habitat. In the Kingdom of Bhutan, Himalayan black bear attacks occur regularly. Bears preferentially attack the face, often causing injuries that require surgical airway management. We sought to determine how often patients injured by Himalayan black bears required airway management during initial resuscitation. We conducted a retrospective review of emergency department and admission records of the 3 referral hospitals in Bhutan. We identified all victims of bear attacks in Bhutan who received emergency airway management, including surgical airway management during the period from August 2013 to December 2017. There were 21 patients who were treated for injuries from bear attacks during the study period. Of these, 12 required emergency airway management. Three patients who required emergency airways (2 intubations, 1 surgical airway) were attacked near a regional referral hospital and received care at that hospital. The remaining 9 patients received care from the helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) retrieval team (1 intubation, 8 surgical airways). The use of highly trained HEMS critical care retrieval teams may improve outcomes in critically injured patients who require time-critical airway management in remote areas. Countries such as Bhutan with populations far from emergency and critical care might benefit from the establishment of HEMS critical care retrieval services. HEMS teams providing care while retrieving patients from austere environments should be expert in emergency airway management.

Portable Blood (Gas) Analyzer in a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service

IntroductionIn prehospital helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), the medical team frequently manages critical patients with only limited, noninvasive monitoring options on-site and during HEMS transport. To gain deeper insight into the patient's pathology and to track prehospital treatment effects, a point-of-care blood (gas) analyzer appears desirable also in HEMS. Thus, we hypothesized that prehospital blood (gas) analysis is feasible in the HEMS setting. MethodsA prehospital evaluation of a portable blood (gas) analyzer (i-Stat 1; Abbott, Chicago, IL) with appropriate laboratory cartridges was performed within the Dutch HEMS Lifeliner 1, serving a region of ∼4.5 million inhabitants. Venous blood (gas) measurements were performed in our HEMS collective in both trauma and nontrauma cases. ResultsThe HEMS team identified benefits (eg, portability and speed) and limitations (eg, a narrow operational temperature range) regarding the tested blood (gas) analyzer. Regarding the actual blood (gas) results, the team collected results without major abnormalities but also cases identifying major pathologies, including several cases of marked acidosis, refractory hypoglycemia, or severe anemia. ConclusionIn conclusion, portable blood (gas) analysis proved feasible in an HEMS operation but with relevant limitations. Future studies will have to show how these limitations can be overcome and how the implementation of portable blood (gas) analyzers may support improved patient outcome.

Pre-hospital anaesthesia and assessment of head injured patients presenting to a UK Helicopter Emergency Medical Service with a high Glasgow Coma Scale: a cohort study

ObjectivesPatients who sustain a head injury but maintain a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 13–15 may still be suffering from a significant brain injury. We aimed to assess the appropriateness...

Transport of ventilated emergency patients from the air rescue service to the hospital destination (HOVER study) : Results of an online survey

In Germany more than 110,000 helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) missions are carried out annually. Aconsiderable number of patients are ventilated during the flight. So far, structured surveys with respect to the ground transport from the helipad to the hospital facility and handover of ventilated patients in the emergency room (ER) are not available in the German-speaking HEMS system. The handover of ventilated HEMS patients in the ER (HOVERI study) explored the use of the helicopter ventilator and medical equipment during the transport from the hospital landing site to the ER. After approval by the HEMS operators, emergency medical doctors and HEMS technical crew members (HEMS-TC) of 145 German-speaking HEMS bases were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey (period: 1 February 2018-1 March 2018). Each participant was only allowed to submit the survey once. Data of 569 participants were completely analyzed, with responses from 429 emergency physicians and 140 HEMS-TC (75% from Germany, 13% Switzerland, 11% Austria, 1% Italy and Luxembourg). The most frequent type of aircraft used was the Eurocopter (EC)/Airbus helicopter(H) 135 (60.5%) followed by the EC/H 145 (33%). The majority of the respondents (53%) principally used the helicopter ventilator machine for patient transport from the helipad to the ER, 38% used it depending on the circumstances and 7% never used it. Of the participants 52% always took the emergency backpack for patient transport to the ER, 43% depending on the situation and 5% never took it along. The availability of oxygen or aventilator at the helipad was considered to be helpful (59% and 45%, respectively), obligatory (25% and 14%, respectively) but was also considered unnecessary by some participants (16% and 40%, respectively). The collection of the HEMS team by ahospital team at the helipad was rated as helpful (64%) or mandatory (19%), 12% considered it to be unimportant and 5% even disturbing. For most respondents (58.5%) the responsibility for the patient ended after astructured handover on reaching the internal hospital target area (e.g. the ER). The management of the handover of ventilated emergency patients in German-speaking HEMS is heterogeneously structured. Only approximately 50% of the participants frequently carried the helicopter ventilator and emergency equipment during patient transport to the ER. Depending on the situation, more than 90% of the respondents used the helicopter ventilator and emergency backpack during the transport. The collection of the HEMS team by ahospital team at the helipad was appreciated by the majority of participants. The use of the helicopter ventilator for patient transport to the ER needs to be explored in future studies. The study was registered at the Research Registry ( www.researchregistry.com ) under the following number: researchregistry2925.