Helicopter transport of critical care COVID-19 patients in the Netherlands: protection against COVID-19 exposure-a challenge to critical care retrieval personnel in a novel operation.
Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med
; 29(1): 41, 2021 Feb 26.
Artículo
en Inglés
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1105726
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the Netherlands, the demand for intensive care beds exceeded availability within days. Initially, patients were redistributed regionally by ground transport. When transport over longer distances became necessary, we initiated a new Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) operation. We hypothesize that the transport of contagious COVID-19 patients is feasible and safe for patients and HEMS personnel.METHODS:
In this retrospective, single-centre observational study, flight and monitor data were used to calculate the exposure time of the retrieval team to COVID-19 patients. All the crew members (n = 18) were instructed on the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), dressing and undressing routine using buddy check supervision and cleaning procedures. All the team members were monitored for possible COVID-19 symptoms, as advised by our National Institute for Health and Environment. One month after completing the aeromedical transport all crew members were asked to donate a blood sample which was examined for the presence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2.RESULTS:
From March 24 to May 25, 2020 the HEMS team transported 67 ventilated critical care COVID-19 patients. The exposure time was 7451 min (124 h and 11 min). One HEMS member reported pneumonia 6 weeks before the start of the patient transport. He tested positive for IgG SARS-CoV-2 by serology testing. We speculate that he was infected before the start of the operation; irrefutable evidence is lacking to support this claim because we did not perform serology testing before this operation started.CONCLUSION:
Occupational COVID-19 exposure during helicopter transport of ventilated critical care COVID-19 patients can be performed safely when proper PPE is applied.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
Disponible
Colección:
Bases de datos internacionales
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Aeronaves
/
Exposición Profesional
/
Personal de Salud
/
Transmisión de Enfermedad Infecciosa de Paciente a Profesional
/
Ambulancias Aéreas
/
Cuidados Críticos
/
Servicios Médicos de Urgencia
/
COVID-19
Tipo de estudio:
Estudio observacional
/
Estudio pronóstico
Tópicos:
Covid persistente
Límite:
Adulto
/
Anciano
/
Femenino
/
Humanos
/
Masculino
/
Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
Inglés
Revista:
Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med
Asunto de la revista:
Medicina de Urgencia
/
Traumatología
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Artículo
País de afiliación:
S13049-021-00845-x
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