Polish Medical Air Rescue Interventions Concerning Pregnant Women in Poland: A 10-year Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND Even in the normal course of pregnancy, alarming symptoms and obstetric complications can occur, necessitating appropriate care. Medical rescue and Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) teams are responsible for responding to emergencies and performing medical emergency procedures on scene and during patient transport to hospital. The purpose of our study was to present the characteristics of HEMS and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) interventions concerning pregnant women in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved a retrospective analysis of missions by HEMS and EMS crews of the Polish Medical Air Rescue concerning pregnant women in Poland. The analysis included all HEMS and EMS flights to cases of accidents and other emergencies and air transport missions where medical assistance had been provided to pregnant women between January 2011 and December 2020. RESULTS Polish Medical Air Rescue teams were most commonly dispatched to urban areas (79.46%) and for inter-hospital transport (75.85%). The mean patient age was 29.72 years, and the most common diagnosis, in accordance with the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), was premature labor (24.38%). CONCLUSIONS Pregnant patients aged 30 and older and those receiving HEMS and EMS assistance in urban areas were found to have a higher odds ratio for premature labor. A correlation was identified between the diagnosis associated with the Polish Medical Air Rescue intervention and the pregnant woman's age and location of call.

Comparison of deliberate self-harm incidents attended by Helicopter Emergency Medical Services before and during the first wave of COVID-19 in the East of England.

INTRODUCTION: There is significant interest in the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) attend the most seriously unwell and injured patients in the community; their data therefore present an early opportunity to examine self-harm trends. The primary aim was to compare the incidence of deliberate self-harm incident (DSH-I) encounters by HEMS before and during the first wave of COVID-19. METHODS: Data were obtained from all three East of England HEMS: total number of activations and stand-downs, number of DSH-I activations and stand-downs, self-harm mechanism and number of 'severe' DSH-I patient encounters, in two 61-day periods: 1 March to 30 April in 2019 (control) and 2020 (COVID-19). Severe DSH-I was defined as cardiac arrest and/or died prehospital. Proportions were compared with a Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: There were a total of 1725 HEMS activations: n=981 (control) and n=744 (COVID-19), a decrease of 24.2% during COVID-19. DSH-I patient encounters increased by 65.4%: n=26 (control) and n=43 (COVID-19). The proportion of encounters that were DSH-I and severe DSH-I both significantly increased during COVID-19: p=0.002 and p=0.001, respectively. The absolute number of hangings and falls from height both approximately tripled during COVID-19, whereas the number of other mechanisms remained almost constant. CONCLUSION: Despite a reduction in overall HEMS patient encounters, there were significant increases in both the proportion of DSH-Is and their severity attended by HEMS during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the East of England.

Evaluation of statewide utilization of helicopter emergency medical services for interfacility transfer.

BACKGROUND: Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMSs) are used with increasing frequency for the transportation of injured patients from the scene and from treatment facilities to higher levels of care. Improved outcomes have been difficult to establish, and reports of overutilization and financial harm have been published. Our study was performed to evaluate statewide utilization for interfacility transfers (IFTs). METHODS: Data from the North Carolina state trauma registry from 2013 to 2017 were evaluated and ground, and helicopter IFTs were compared. RESULTS: Overall interfacility use of HEMSs peaked at 7,861 patient transports in 2016, and the percent of all IFTs fell from 17% to 13.3% over the study period. Helicopter emergency medical services patients were more likely to be male (69.8%) and younger (48.0 vs. 56.2 years), and have higher Injury Severity Scores (14.6 vs. 9.0) and higher mortality (10.5% vs. 2.8%) than ground emergency medical services (GEMSs) patients. When adjusted for age, sex, Injury Severity Score, and transport distance, HEMSs survival was significantly higher (odds ratio, 0.353; 95% CI, 0.308-0.404; p < 0.0001). Normal prehospital vital signs (VSs) and Glasgow Coma Scale score motor component (GCS-M) were associated with low mortality rates in both groups. Abnormal prehospital VSs and GCS-M were associated with an 11.8% mortality rate in HEMSs patients and 3.1% in GEMSs patients. Normal referring facility VSs and GCS-M did not confer similar protection with a mortality rate of 10.0% in HEMSs patients and 2.8% in GEMSs. Changes in prehospital to referring facility VSs did not demonstrate a low mortality group. Abbreviated Injury Scale and changes in VSs did not identify HEMSs transport benefit groups. CONCLUSION: The proportion of HEMSs transfers fell over the study period and, while associated with a 10.5% mortality rate, had an outcome benefit compared with GEMSs. These patients could not be sorted into risk categories for transportation choice based on VSs or GCS-M derangement or by changes thereof, and opportunities for system improvement were not identified. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic/epidemiological study, level III; Care Management, level IV.

Dose-dependent association between blood transfusion and nosocomial infections in trauma patients: A secondary analysis of patients from the PAMPer trial.

BACKGROUND: The Prehospital Air Medical Plasma (PAMPer) trial demonstrated a survival benefit to trauma patients who received thawed plasma as part of early resuscitation. The objective of our study was to examine the association between blood transfusion and nosocomial infections among trauma patients who participated in the PAMPer trial. We hypothesized that transfusion of blood products will be associated with the development of nosocomial infections in a dose-dependent fashion. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data of patients in the PAMPer trial with hospital length of stay of at least 3 days. Demographics, injury characteristics, and number of blood products transfused were obtained to evaluate outcomes. Bivariate analysis was performed to identify differences between patients with and without nosocomial infections. Two logistic regression models were created to evaluate the association between nosocomial infections and (1) any transfusion of blood products, and (2) quantity of blood products. Both models were adjusted for age, sex, and Injury Severity Score. RESULTS: A total of 399 patients were included: age, 46 years (interquartile range, 29-59 years); Injury Severity Score, 22 (interquartile range, 12-29); 73% male; 80% blunt mechanism; and 40 (10%) deaths. Ninety-three (27%) developed nosocomial infections, including pneumonia (n = 67), bloodstream infections (n = 14), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (n = 10), skin and soft tissue infection (n = 8), Clostridium difficile colitis (n = 7), empyema (n = 6), and complicated intra-abdominal infections (n = 3). Nearly 80% (n = 307) of patients received packed red blood cells (PRBCs); 12% received cryoprecipitate, 69% received plasma, and 27% received platelets. Patients who received any PRBCs had more than a twofold increase in nosocomial infections (odds ratio, 2.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-4.58; p = 0.047). The number of PRBCs given was also associated with the development of nosocomial infection (odds ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.16; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Trauma patients in the PAMPer trial who received a transfusion of at least 1 U of PRBCs incurred a twofold increased risk of nosocomial infection, and the risk of infection was dose dependent. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management, level IV.

Time-saving effects using helicopter transportation: comparison to a ground transportation time predicted using a social navigation software.

ABSTRACT: Previous comparison studies regarding 2 types of transportation, helicopter (HEMS) versus ground emergency medical services (GEMS), have shown underlying heterogeneity as these options have completely different routes and consequent times with reference to one patient. To compare the 2 types of transportation on a case-by-case basis, we analyzed the retrospectively reviewed HEMS and predicted GEMS data using an open-source navigation software.Patients transferred by military HEMS from 2016 to 2019 were retrospectively enrolled. The HEMS records on the time of notification, injury point and destination address, and time required were reviewed. The GEMS data on distance and the predicted time required were acquired using open-source social navigation systems. Comparison analyses between the two types of transportation were conducted. Furthermore, linear logistic regression analyses were performed on the distance and time of the two options.A total of 183 patients were enrolled. There was no statistical difference (P = .3021) in the distance between the 2 types of transportation, and the HEMS time was significantly shorter than that of GEMS (61.31 vs 116.92 minutes, P < .001). The simple linear curves for HEMS and GEMS were separately secured, and two graphs presented the statistical significance (P) as well as reasonable goodness-of-fit (R2). In general, the HEMS graph demonstrates a more gradual slope and narrow distribution compared to that of GEMS.Ideally, HEMS is identified as a better transportation modality because it has a shorter transportation time (56 minutes saved) and a low possibility of potential time delays (larger R2). With a strict patient selection, HEMS can rescue injured or emergent patients who are "out of the golden hour."

Incidence and challenges of helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) rescue missions with helicopter hoist operations: analysis of 11,228 daytime and nighttime missions in Switzerland.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the medical characteristics of helicopter hoist operations (HHO) in HEMS missions. METHODS: We designed a retrospective study evaluating all HHO and other human external cargo (HEC) missions performed by Swiss Air-Rescue (Rega) between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2019. RESULTS: During the study period, 9,963 (88.7 %) HEMS missions with HHO and HEC were conducted during the day, and 1,265 (11.3 %) at night. Of the victims with time-critical injuries (NACA ≥ 4), 21.1 % (n = 400) reached the hospital within 60 min during the day, and 9.1 % (n = 18) at night. Nighttime missions, a trauma diagnosis, intubation on-site, and NACA Score ≥ 4 were independently and highly significantly associated with longer mission times (p < 0.001). The greatest proportion of patients who needed hoist or HEC operations in the course of the HEMS mission during the daytime sustained moderate injuries (NACA 3, n = 3,731, 37.5 %) while practicing recreational activities (n = 5,492, 55.1 %). In daytime HHO missions, the most common medical interventions performed were insertion of a peripheral intravenous access (n = 3,857, 38.7 %) and administration of analgesia (n = 3,121, 31.3 %). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 20 % of patients who needed to be evacuated by a hoist were severely injured, and complex and lifesaving medical interventions were necessary before the HHO procedure. Therefore, only adequately trained and experienced medical crew members should accompany HHO missions.

Analysis of European Air Medical Evacuation Flights of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: As part of the humanitarian response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the German and French Armed Forces provided air transport for patients from overwhelmed regional hospitals in Italy and France. The objective of this study was to analyze the characteristics of the missions and the medical conditions of COVID-19 patients transported during an air medical evacuation on fixed wing aircraft in March and April 2020. METHOD: This was a retrospective analysis of transport records as well as other documents for 58 COVID-19 patients requiring artificial ventilation. RESULTS: The median age of the transported patients was 61.5 years, and 61% of them had preexisting medical conditions. They had been ventilated for a median of 5 days and experienced the first symptoms 18 days before transport. The patients flown out of France had less days of ventilation before flight, a lower end-tidal carbon dioxide level at the beginning of the flight, and a lower Charlson Comorbidity Index. There were also some differences between the ventilation and the flight level flown by the 2 air forces. CONCLUSION: The intensive care transport of ventilated COVID-19 patients requires highly qualified personnel and appropriate equipment and should be planned appropriately.

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services During Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Nepal.

Virtually every country in the world has been affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Nepal is a landlocked country located in Southern Asia. Nepal's population has suffered greatly due to a shortage of critical care facilities, resources, and trained personnel. For appropriate care, patients need access to hospitals mostly in the centrally located capital city of Kathmandu. Unfortunately, Nepal's resources and personnel dedicated to transferring COVID-19 patients are scarce. Road and traffic infrastructure problems and mountainous terrain prevent ground ambulances from performing effectively. This, in addition to Nepal lacking national standards for prehospital care, create great challenges for transferring patients via ground emergency medical services. The concept of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) began in 2013 in Nepal. Presently, 3 hospitals, Nepal Mediciti Hospital, Hospital for Advanced Medicine and Surgery (HAMS), and Grande International Hospital, coordinate with private helicopter companies to run proper HEMS. One entity, Simrik Air, has dedicated 2 Airbus H125/AS350 helicopters for the sole purpose of transferring COVID-19 patients. HEMS effectiveness is expanding in Nepal, but much remains to be accomplished.

Use of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services in the Transport of Patients With Known or Suspected Coronavirus Disease 2019.

OBJECTIVE: Limited information exists regarding the response of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) programs to patients with known or suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The purpose of this study was to determine changes in flight operations during the early stages of the pandemic. METHODS: A survey of the American College of Emergency Physicians Air Medical Section was conducted between May 13, 2020, and August 1, 2020. COVID-19 prevalence was defined as high versus low based on cases > 2,500 or ≤ 2,500. RESULTS: Of the 48 respondents, the majority (89.6%) reported that their patient guidelines had changed because of COVID-19; 89.6% of programs reported transporting COVID-19-positive patients, whereas 91.5% reported transporting persons under investigation. The majority of respondents reported additional training in COVID-19 airway management (79.2%) and personal protective equipment use (93.6%). Permitted aerosol-generating procedures included bilevel positive airway pressure (40.4%) and high-flow nasal oxygen (66.0%). No difference in guideline changes, positive COVID-19/persons under investigation transport restrictions, or permitted aerosol-generating procedures were noted between high- and low-prevalence settings. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 has resulted in changes to HEMS guidelines regardless of local disease prevalence. The pandemic has persisted sufficiently long that data regarding the effectiveness of guideline changes should be analyzed. In the absence of definitive data, national best practices should be developed to guide COVID-19 HEMS transport.

Geospatial assessment of helicopter emergency medical service overtriage.

BACKGROUND: Despite evidence of benefit after injury, helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) overtriage remains high. Scene and transfer overtriage are distinct processes. Our objectives were to identify geographic variation in overtriage and patient-level predictors, and determine if overtriage impacts population-level outcomes. METHODS: Patients 16 years or older undergoing scene or interfacility HEMS in the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcomes Study were included. Overtriage was defined as discharge within 24 hours of arrival. Patients were mapped to zip code, and rates of overtriage were calculated. Hot spot analysis identified regions of high and low overtriage. Mixed-effects logistic regression determined patient predictors of overtriage. High and low overtriage regions were compared for population-level injury fatality rates. Analyses were performed for scene and transfer patients separately. RESULTS: A total of 85,572 patients were included (37.4% transfers). Overtriage was 5.5% among scene and 11.8% among transfer HEMS (p < 0.01). Hot spot analysis demonstrated geographic variation in high and low overtriage for scene and transfer patients. For scene patients, overtriage was associated with distance (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.06 per 10 miles; p = 0.04), neck injury (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.01-1.60; p = 0.04), and single-system injury (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.15-1.64; p < 0.01). For transfer patients, overtriage was associated with rurality (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.22-2.21; p < 0.01), facial injury (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.03-1.44; p = 0.02), and single-system injury (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.18-2.19; p < 0.01). For scene patients, high overtriage was associated with higher injury fatality rate (coefficient, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.68-1.76; p < 0.01); low overtriage was associated with lower injury fatality rate (coefficient, -0.73; 95% CI, -0.78 to -0.68; p < 0.01). For transfer patients, high overtriage was not associated with injury fatality rate (p = 0.53); low overtriage was associated with lower injury fatality rate (coefficient, -2.87; 95% CI, -4.59 to -1.16; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Geographic overtriage rates vary significantly for scene and transfer HEMS, and are associated with population-level outcomes. These findings can help guide targeted performance improvement initiatives to reduce HEMS overtriage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, level IV.

Operational experience of the Dutch helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic: jeopardy on the prehospital care system?

PURPOSE: The SARS-CoV-2 virus has disrupted global and local medical supply chains. To combat the spread of the virus and prevent an uncontrolled outbreak with limited resources, national lockdown protocols have taken effect in the Netherlands since March 13th, 2020. The aim of this study was to describe the incidence, type and characteristics of HEMS and HEMS-ambulance 'Lifeliner 1' dispatches during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the same period one year prior. METHODS: A retrospective review of all HEMS and HEMS-ambulance 'Lifeliner 1' dispatches was performed from the start of Dutch nationwide lockdown orders from March 13th until May 13th, 2020 and the corresponding period one year prior. Dispatch-, operational-, patient-, injury-, and on-site treatment characteristics were extracted for analysis. In addition, the rate of COVID-19 positively tested HEMS personnel and the time physicians were unable to take call was described. RESULTS: During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the HEMS and HEMS-ambulance was requested in 528 cases. One year prior, a total of 620 requests were received. The HEMS (helicopter and ambulance) was cancelled after deployment in 56.4% of the COVID-19 cohort and 50.7% of the historical cohort (P = 0.05). Incident location type did not differ between the two cohorts, specifically, there was no significant difference in the number of injuries that occurred at home in pandemic versus non-pandemic circumstances. Besides a decrease in the number of falls, the distribution of mechanisms of injury remained similar during the COVID-19 study period. There was no difference in self-inflicted injuries observed. Prehospital interventions remained similar during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to one year prior. Specifically, prehospital intubation did not differ between the two cohorts. The rate of COVID-19 positively tested HEMS personnel was 23.1%. Physicians who tested positive were unable to take call for a mean of 25 days (range 8-53). CONCLUSION: A decrease in the number of deployments and increase in the number of cancelled missions was observed during the COVID-19 study period. No major differences in operational- and injury characteristics were found for HEMS and HEMS-ambulance dispatches between the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands and the same period one year prior. These findings highlight the importance of continued operability of the HEMS, even during pandemic circumstances. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, retrospective comparative study.

How Does Mission Ground Time Impact on Population Coverage of Aeromedical Retrieval Systems?

BACKGROUND: Aeromedical retrieval is an essential component of contemporary emergency care systems. However, in many locations, ground emergency medical services are dispatched to the scene of an incident first to assess the patient and then call for a helicopter if needed. The time to definitive care therefore includes the helicopter's flight to the scene, flight to the trauma center, and nonflying time. Mission ground time (MGT) includes the time required to get the helicopter airborne, as well as time spent at the scene, packaging and loading the casualty into the aircraft. Estimates of MGT typically vary from 10 to 30 min. The impact of MGT duration on population coverage-the number of residents that could be taken to a trauma center within a set time-is not known. The aim of this study was to compare population coverage for different durations of MGT in a single state. METHODS: Coverage was calculated using elliptical coverage areas ("isochrones") based on the location of helicopter bases and Level I and Level II trauma centers. The calculations were performed using Microsoft Excel, assuming a cruising speed of 133 knots (246 km/h), and mapped using arcGIS. The access time threshold was set at 60 min, and we evaluated MGTs of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 min. RESULTS: MGT has a marked impact on population coverage. The effect is, furthermore, not linear. When considering the state's three Level I trauma centers, decreasing MGT from 30 to 10 min increased population coverage from 61.2% to 84.2%. When also considering Level II centers, decreasing MGT from 30 min to 10 min increased coverage by 20%. CONCLUSIONS: Elliptical isochrones, with allowance for MGT, provide realistic estimates of population coverage. MGT significantly impacts the proportion of the population that can be taken to a Level I and/or Level II Trauma Center within a set time. The impact is not linear, reflecting the uneven distribution of the population. Consideration should be given to minimizing MGT to preserve the benefits of aeromedical retrieval.

Predictors of Inappropriate Helicopter Transport.

BACKGROUND: Helicopter transport (HT) is an efficient, but costly, means for injured patients to receive life-saving, definitive trauma care. Identifying the characteristics of inappropriate HT presents an opportunity to improve the utilization of this finite medical resource. METHODS: Trauma registry records of all HT for a 3-year period (2016-2018) to an urban Level I trauma center were reviewed. HT was defined as inappropriate for patients who were discharged home from the emergency department or had a hospital length of stay <1 day, and who were discharged alive. Chi-square analysis and Student's t-test were used for univariate analysis. Predictors with a P value of less than .15 were subject to binary logistic regression analysis. A P value ≤.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There were 713 patients who received HT during the study period. One-hundred and forty-eight (20.8%) patients met the criteria as an inappropriate HT. In univariate analysis, Glasgow Coma Scale >8, Shock Index <0.9, and fall mechanism were found to be significantly associated with inappropriate HT. Age >55 was found to be associated with an appropriate HT. The average Injury Severity Score of the inappropriate HT group was 3.86 (±3.85) compared with 16.80 (±11.23) (P = .0001, Student's t-test). DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that there are evidence-based predictors of patients receiving inappropriate HT. Triage of HT using these predictors has the potential to decrease unnecessary deployments and reduce health care costs.

Measuring More than Mortality: A scoping review of air ambulance outcome measures in a combined Institutes of Medicine and Donabedian quality framework.

INTRODUCTION: Measuring the performance of air ambulance services are complex and dynamic due to the variability and interconnectedness of emergency systems. The aim of this study is to review the range and nature of air ambulance outcome measures published in peer review articles and construct a quality framework based on the results. A scoping review of the literature was conducted to identify outcome measures that evaluate the quality of air ambulance services. Combined frameworks from the Institutes of Medicine (IOM) and Dr. Avedia Donabedian were used to create a dashboard structure for a framework of air ambulance outcome measures. METHODS: A literature search strategy was undertaken, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines and included eight databases over the period 2001-2019. Qualitative content analysis was conducted in 4-phases: 1) table summary of selected article outcome measures, 2) content analysis themes, codes of outcome measures and independent variables 3) narrative description of main themes 4) visual dashboard diagram of service priorities and quality strategies, based on the findings. RESULTS: Thirty-four articles were screened by full text and eighteen met the selection criteria. Twenty codes emerged and were grouped to form eight consistent outcome themes; asset/ team type, access to definitive interventions, prehospital factors, mortality, morbidity, responsiveness of service, accessibility of service and patient disposition. CONCLUSIONS: A quality framework consisting of eight outcome measures was created, it also identified seven gaps which ordinarily require performance evaluation; patient comfort and satisfaction reporting, cultural awareness training, safety alarms in place to identify volume stress, optimal coordination of resources, cost of service analysis, comprehensive patient journey time and an adaptive referral system analysis. The measures in the framework provide a broad perspective of air ambulance performance we believe will help decision-making and planning to improve patients experience and outcomes.

Collective aeromedical transport of COVID-19 critically ill patients in Europe: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: In early 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak has posed the risk of critical care resources overload in every affected country. Collective interhospital transport of critically ill COVID-19 patients as a way to mitigate the localised pressure from overloaded intensive care units at a national or international level has not been reported yet. The aim of this study was to provide descriptive data about the first six collective aeromedical evacuation (MEDEVAC) of COVID-19 patients performed within Europe. METHODS: This retrospective study included all adult patients transported by the first six collective MEDEVAC missions for COVID-19 patients performed within Europe on the 18th, 21st, 24th, 27th, 31st of March and the 3rd of April 2020. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) were transported aboard six MEDEVAC missions. The median duration of mechanical ventilation in ICU before transportation was 4 days (3-5.25). The median PaO2/FiO2 ratio obtained before, during the flight and at day 1 after the transport was 180 mmHg (156-202,5), 143 mmHg (118,75-184,75) and 174 mmHg (129,5-205,5), respectively, with no significant difference. The median norepinephrine infusion rate observed before, during the flight and at day 1 after the transport was 0,08 µg/kg-1. min-1 (0,00-0,20), 0,08 (0,00-0,25), and 0,07 (0,03-0,18), respectively, with no significant difference. No life-threatening event was reported. CONCLUSION: Collective aero-MEDEVAC of COVID-19 critically ill patients could provide a reliable solution to help control the burden of the disease at a national or international level.

Helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) activity after increased distance to out-of-hours services: an observational study from Norway.

BACKGROUND: Organizational changes in out-of-hour (OOH) services may have unintended consequences for other prehospital services. Reports indicate an increased use of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) after changes in OOH services in Norway due to greater geographical distances for the on-call doctors. We investigated whether HEMS dispatches increased when nine municipalities in Sogn og Fjordane County merged into one large inter-municipal OOH district. METHODS: All primary dispatches of the HEMS in the county between 2004 and 2013 were included. We applied interrupted time series regression to monthly aggregated data to evaluate the impact of the organizational change 1 April 2009. The nine target municipalities were compared to the rest of the municipalities in the county, which served as a control group. A quasipoisson model adjusted for seasonality was found to be most applicable. RESULTS: We included 8,751 dispatches, 5,009 (57.2%) of which were completed with a patient encounter. Overall, we found no alteration in requests for HEMS after 2009 (p = 0.251). Separate analyses of the target municipalities and control group revealed no significant increase after 2009 (p = 0.400 and p = 0.056, respectively). When categorizing the municipalities into urban or rural, we found a general increase in HEMS dispatches for the rural group over the 10-year span (p = 0.045) but no added increase after 2009 (p = 0.502). The urban subgroup showed no change. Distance from the OOH service in regards to travel increased within the nine municipalities after 2009, median [quartiles] (5.0[3.0, 6.2] km vs 26.5[5.0, 62.2] km, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: After relocating nine local OOH services into one large inter-municipal OOH district, we found no increase in requests for HEMS.

Mental Health Care for Rural and Remote Australians During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic.

The aims of this article are to comment on pre-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mental health activity in rural and remote Australia, including related air medical retrievals; to discuss how the current pandemic is likely to impact on this vulnerable population's mental health; and to provide potential solutions. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant air medical activity from rural and remote Australia. COVID-19 and the necessary public health and socioeconomic interventions are likely to significantly compound mental health problems for both the general public and the mental health workforce servicing rural and remote communities. However, the COVID-19 crisis provides a window of opportunity to develop, support, and build novel and sustainable solutions to the chronic mental health service vulnerabilities in rural and remote areas in Australia and other countries.

Point-of-Care Testing Practices, Failure Modes, and Risk-Mitigation Strategies in Emergency Medical Services Programs in the Canadian Province of Alberta.

CONTEXT.­: Emergency medical services (EMS) programs have been using point-of-care testing (POCT) for more than 20 years. However, only a handful of reports have been published in all of that time on POCT practices in field settings. OBJECTIVE.­: To provide an overview of POCT practices and failure modes in 3 of Alberta's EMS programs, and to propose risk-mitigation strategies for reducing or eliminating these failure modes. DESIGN.­: Details about POCT practices, failure modes, and risk-mitigation strategies were gathered through (1) conversations with personnel, (2) in-person tours of EMS bases, (3) accompaniment of EMS personnel on missions, (4) internet searches for publicly available information, and (5) a review of laboratory documents. RESULTS.­: Practices were most standardized and robust in the community paramedicine program (single service provider, full laboratory oversight), and least standardized and robust in the air ambulance program (4 service providers, limited laboratory oversight). Common failure modes across all 3 programs included device inoperability due to cold weather, analytical validation procedures that failed to consider the unique challenges of EMS settings, and a lack of real-time electronic transmission of results into the health care record. CONCLUSIONS.­: A provincial framework for POCT in EMS programs is desirable. Such a framework should include appropriate funding models, laboratory oversight of POCT, and relevant expertise on POCT in EMS settings. The framework should also incorporate specific guidance on quality standards that are needed to address the unique challenges of performing POCT in field settings.

Military Nursing in "Operation Return to Brazil": aeromedical evacuation in the coronavirus pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the experience of military nursing in "Operation Return to Brazil" in an aeromedical evacuation. METHOD: this is an experience report of the nursing staff in the Aeromedical Evacuation of potentially-contaminated Brazilians who were in Wuhan, China, after the outbreak of the new coronavirus. RESULTS: the report was constructed from nursing care performed in three stages: pre-flight, screening, and flight. Pre-flight care would include aircraft configuration and material prediction. In screening, the staff was concerned with being properly attired. In the health assessment of returnees, in-flight, attention was focused on Personal Protective Equipment handling to minimize the risk of contamination by prolonged contact with potentially-contaminated passengers. Final considerations: nursing was committed to planning all the actions of this mission, which was one of the longest, strenuous and unprecedented in the history of aeromedical transport in Brazil.