Abstract
Background. The present publication is an extraction of the "LUNA-study" which analyzes interhospital transportation at night in north/eastern Bavaria. Methods. Interhospital ICU-air medical evacuations were analyzed in comparison to ground-based transports in a prospective 3 year study. The cases were assessed by an expert panel. Results. A total of 194 interhospital transfers were included in ...
Abstract
Background. The present publication is an extraction of the "LUNA-study" which analyzes interhospital transportation at night in north/eastern Bavaria. Methods. Interhospital ICU-air medical evacuations were analyzed in comparison to ground-based transports in a prospective 3 year study. The cases were assessed by an expert panel. Results. A total of 194 interhospital transfers were included in the study. 98 patients were airlifted, 96 were transported by ground. Air medical evacuation was preferred in patients with a trauma diagnosis, a longer transport distance as well as the University of Regensburg Medical Centre as the destination hospital. 83% of the airlifted cases were justified as assessed by the expert panel. 13 transports were not justified due to delay because of the air medical transport. Means of transportation was correctly chosen in 83% of the ground based transports. Patients would have benefited from airlift due to greater transport distances in 11 cases, 8 cases from transport in EMS-units due to short transport distances. Ground transportation with a mobile intensive care unit resulted in a longer overall mission duration independent of the transport distance. Conclusions. From a medical viewpoint the provision of ICU-air medical service at night is justified. For time crucial interhospital transfers at night the ground based mobile intensive care unit is only suitable in exceptional cases.
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