[The use of a helicopter for emergency services in Iceland in 1991]

The study objective was to review the utilization of the Icelandic Coast Guard Helicopter Emergency Services and to evaluate the condition and treatment and determine the outcome of patients transported. Retrospective review of the flight physicians' medical records for the year 1991 was made. Additional information was obtained from the medical records of the hospitals to which the patients were admitted and from the log books of the Coast Guard Coordination Center. Using a modification of the ASA-classification, each patient's condition was evaluated. The usefulness of the helicopter as means of transportation and the importance of the flight physician as a crew member was evaluated as well. Seventy two individuals were transported in 57 flights. The majority of those transported, 54 (76%) were males. Of these 36 (56%) were between 20 and 40 years of age. The majority or 44 (61%) of the patients transported were trauma victims. Forty four (61%) were classified as seriously ill or injured (class III to IV). Eighteen (25%) were moderately ill or injured. Most of these patients were rescued from the ocean or the wilderness. Ten (14%) were healthy individuals rescued from danger at sea. Forty three of the flights were directly to the scene, only 14 were interhospital transfers. Approximately one third of the individuals were flown in from rural areas, one third from the wilderness and one third from off shore. A helicopter was found to be a necessary means of transportation for 32 (45%) individuals and important for the transportation of other 39 (54%). Treatment provided by the flight physician was regarded as necessary for the beneficial outcome of 13 (18%) patients and important for 29 (40%). Our conclusion is that helicopters are a vitaly important component of emergency medical services (EMS) and search and rescue (SAR) in Iceland. A flight physician is a necessary crew member on board the helicopter on all EMS- and SAR- runs. Helicopters may not yet be adequately utilized for emergency services in Iceland.