Sigurjon Orn Stefansson, Vidar Magnusson, Martin I Sigurdsson
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Helicopter emergency services (HEMS) are widely used to bring medical assistance to individuals that cannot be reached by other means or individuals that have time-critical medical conditions, such as chest pain, stroke or severe trauma. It is a very expensive resource whose use and importance depends on local conditions. The aim of this study was to describe flight and patient characteristics in all HEMS flights done in Iceland, a geographically isolated, mountainous and sparsely populated country, over a 5-year course.
Methods: This retrospective study included all individuals requiring HEMS transportation in Iceland during 2018-2022. The electronic database of the Icelandic Coast Guard was used to identify the individuals and register flight data. Electronic databases from Landspitali and Akureyri hospitals were used to collect clinical variables. Descriptive statistics was applied.
Results: The average number of HEMS transports was 3.5/10,000 inhabitants and the median [IQR] activation time and flight times were 30 min [20-42] and 40 min [26-62] respectively. The vast majority of patients were transported to Landspitali Hospital in Reykjavik. More than half of the transports were due to trauma, the most common medical transports were due to chest pain or cardiac arrests. Advanced medical therapy was provided for 66 (10%) of individuals during primary transports, 157 (24%) of individuals were admitted to intensive care, 188 (28%) needed surgery and 53 (7.9%) needed a coronary angiography.
Conclusion: In Iceland, the number of transports is lower but activation and flight times for HEMS flights are considerably longer than in other Nordic countries, likely due to geographical features and the structure of the service including utilizing helicopters both for HEMS and search and rescue operations. The transport times for some time-sensitive conditions are not within standards set by international studies and guidelines.
期刊介绍：
Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica publishes papers on original work in the fields of anaesthesiology, intensive care, pain, emergency medicine, and subjects related to their basic sciences, on condition that they are contributed exclusively to this Journal. Case reports and short communications may be considered for publication if of particular interest; also letters to the Editor, especially if related to already published material. The editorial board is free to discuss the publication of reviews on current topics, the choice of which, however, is the prerogative of the board. Every effort will be made by the Editors and selected experts to expedite a critical review of manuscripts in order to ensure rapid publication of papers of a high scientific standard.
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