Table 1 Comparison between primary missions and interfacility transport for COVID-19 related missions by four air ambulance providers from four countries between February 1 and April 30, 2020. Data are presented as mean (SD), median (range), or number (%) as appropriate. *Percentage totals are greater than 100% because 11 patients were transported by both airplane and helicopter
Primary missions | Interfacility transport | p value | |
|---|---|---|---|
Total number of missions during study period | 8340 | 3029 | < 0.001 |
General data | |||
Number of patients (% of missions) | 119 (1.4%) | 266 (8.8%) | |
Age of patients, mean (SD) | 65.1 (21) | 59.6 (6.2) | < 0.01 |
Male (%) | 72 (60.5%) | 194 (73%) | 0.017 |
NACA Score, median (range) | 3 (1–7) | 4 (2–5) | < 0.001 |
Suspected COVID-19 | 100 (84%) | 52 (19.5%) | < 0.001 |
Confirmed COVID-19 | 19 (16%) | 214 (80.5%) | < 0.001 |
Mission-related complications | 2 (1.7%) | 4 (1.5%) | 0.99 |
Mode of transport | |||
Ground ambulance accompanied by doctor | 52 (44%) | 42 (16%)* | < 0.001 |
Ground ambulance without HEMS doctor attendance | 34 (28.5%) | 12 (4.5%)* | < 0.001 |
Helicopter transport | 19 (16%) | 184 (69%)* | < 0.001 |
Fixed-wing aircraft transport | 0 | 48 (18%)* | < 0.001 |
Transport to | |||
maximum care hospital | 64 (54%) | 177 (66.5%) | 0.022 |
basic care hospital | 39 (33%) | 10 (4%) | < 0.001 |
No transport to medical facility | 14 (11.5%) | 1 (0.5%)* | < 0.001 |
Medical interventions during mission | |||
i.v. access | 107 (90%) | 261 (98%) | < 0.001 |
Fluid therapy | 92 (77%) | 235 (88%) | < 0.01 |
Drug administration | 60 (50%) | 225 (84.5%) | < 0.001 |
Oxygen therapy | 33 (28%) | 205 (77%) | < 0.001 |
NIV | 5 (4%) | 0 | 0.002 |
Airway management | 18 (15%) | 189 (70%) | < 0.001 |
Lung ultrasound | 8 (7%) | 6 (2%) | 0.039 |
CPR/use of ACCD | 9 (7.5%) | 1 (0.5%) | < 0.001 |
ECMO in total | 0 | 14 (5%) | 0.006 |
vv-ECMO | 0 | 9 (3%) | 0.062 |
va-ECMO | 0 | 5 (2%) | 0.329 |
Hygienic procedures | |||
Facemask for spontaneously breathing patients | 95 (80%) | 86 (32%) | < 0.001 |
FFP 2 (N 95) / FFP 3 (N 99) mask | 82 (68%) | 161 (60.5%) | 0.137 |
Common surgical face mask | 54 (45%) | 87 (33%) | 0.022 |
Safety glasses/goggles | 82 (68%) | 251 (94%) | < 0.001 |
Complete personal protective equipment | 38 (32%) | 176 (66%) | < 0.001 |
Final disinfection of aircraft | 118 (99%) | 266 (100%) | 0.309 |
Use of PIU in total | 0 | 43 (16%) | < 0.001 |
EpiShuttle® | 0 | 23 (8.5%) | < 0.001 |
Rega PIU | 0 | 20 (7.5%) | < 0.001 |