Characteristics of Emergency Patients Transported by Helicopter on Jeju Island

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The study investigated the present state of helicopter patient transport system on Jeju Island with the aim of improving the helicopter emergency medical service system. METHODS: Electrical medical records of patients transported to Jeju National University Hospital by coast guard helicopter from March 2009 to November 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. The followings were analyzed in terms of patient demography, pre-hospital treatment and monitoring during transport, emergency severity index (ESI) score, outcomes and appropriateness of transportation. RESULTS: During the 19 months of the study, 35 patients were helicopter-transported. There were 18 illness patients (51%) and 17 trauma patients (49%). There were 11 ESI level I patients (31.4%) and 8 ESI level II patients (11.4%). Treatment and monitoring during transportation were rare. 15 patients (43%) were hospitalized and 10(28%) died. 16 (45.7%) patients were indicated to the helicopter transportation. CONCLUSION: The near-absence of treatment and monitoring during helicopter transportation is thought to be associated with the absence of firefighting helicopter and trained medical staff. Appropriate emergency patient transportation protocols are needed.