Stefan Taubenböck1, Wolfgang Lederer2, Marc Kaufmann1, Gunnar Kroesen1. 1. Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria. 2. Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: wolfgang.lederer@i-med.ac.at.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the pediatric emergencies encountered by the Christophorus-1 helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) during a period of 2 years. METHODS: Emergency treatment of pediatric casualties by HEMS was evaluated at a helicopter base. Children up to 14 years who were treated by HEMS emergency physicians from Christophorus-1 during primary missions in the alpine region were retrospectively enrolled. RESULTS: Of the 1314 HEMS operations conducted during a 2-year investigation period, pediatric emergencies accounted for 114 (8.7%). Trauma was the most common emergency indication (91.3%) in alpine areas, and 77.5% of the indications were related to skiing and snowboarding; 11.3% of the prehospital pediatric emergencies were classified as life-threatening. Interventions on site were rendered in 46.3% of cases. Mean and SD intervals for approach were 11.0 ± 3.0 minutes; for treatment, 14.0 ± 6.0 minutes; and for transport, 8.0 ± 4.0 minutes. Intervals on site were significantly longer whenever it was necessary to search for an interim landing place (P < .001) or perform rope extrication (P < .001). Aggravating environmental conditions such as low temperature (78.8%), rocky terrain (18.8%), or precipitation (12.5%) were common. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid procedures are preferred to sustained on-scene treatment, particularly when surrounding conditions are hostile. HEMS emergency physicians attempt to keep on-site intervals short and treatment and monitoring to the essential to minimize delay in rescue.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the pediatric emergencies encountered by the Christophorus-1 helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) during a period of 2 years. METHODS: Emergency treatment of pediatric casualties by HEMS was evaluated at a helicopter base. Children up to 14 years who were treated by HEMS emergency physicians from Christophorus-1 during primary missions in the alpine region were retrospectively enrolled. RESULTS: Of the 1314 HEMS operations conducted during a 2-year investigation period, pediatric emergencies accounted for 114 (8.7%). Trauma was the most common emergency indication (91.3%) in alpine areas, and 77.5% of the indications were related to skiing and snowboarding; 11.3% of the prehospital pediatric emergencies were classified as life-threatening. Interventions on site were rendered in 46.3% of cases. Mean and SD intervals for approach were 11.0 ± 3.0 minutes; for treatment, 14.0 ± 6.0 minutes; and for transport, 8.0 ± 4.0 minutes. Intervals on site were significantly longer whenever it was necessary to search for an interim landing place (P < .001) or perform rope extrication (P < .001). Aggravating environmental conditions such as low temperature (78.8%), rocky terrain (18.8%), or precipitation (12.5%) were common. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid procedures are preferred to sustained on-scene treatment, particularly when surrounding conditions are hostile. HEMS emergency physicians attempt to keep on-site intervals short and treatment and monitoring to the essential to minimize delay in rescue.