ObjectiveTo review the current state of helicopter casualty evacuations (helicasevac) in Singapore.MethodologyA retrospective study of helicasevac missions to the Singapore General Hospital over a 12‐year period from 1991 to 2002.ResultsOf the 297 casualties evacuated over 234 missions during the period, 90.2% (268/297) were trauma related and 9.8% non‐trauma. The majority of these trauma casualties were military national servicemen with heat injuries (63.4%, 170/268), followed by external injuries (25.0%, 67/268). The most common medical referrals were for cardiovascular or neurological conditions. Most of the patients brought in were critically ill, unconscious or semiconscious. Most were admitted (88.2%, 262/297). None of the 19 patients who collapsed and were without signs of life prior to helicopter transport survived attempted resuscitation at the emergency department. The usefulness of transferring them with helicopter is doubtful. The on‐scene diagnosis and inpatient diagnosis for the patients were consistent in 98.6%. The air evacuation mission locations were mainly from the surrounding islands of Singapore ‐ 58%, while 17% were from ships traversing the nearby straits e.g. the Straits of Malacca and South China Sea and 19% were from military camps within mainland Singapore.ConclusionThe criteria for despatching helicopters for air evacuation in Singapore have not been established. There are benefits in terms of transport time and bringing on‐site medical care to casualties at distant offshore locations. The benefit of evacuating urban patients by helicopter is doubtful, especially if they are already in cardiopulmonary arrest.
Helicopter Evacuation: the Singapore General Hospital Experience
Hong Kong j. emerg. med.
Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine ; 11 , 4 ; 211-219
2004-10-01
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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