Transfer of obese patients in European air ambulances

The prevalence of obesity is rising worldwide. To investigate how fixed-wing air ambulances handle bariatric transfers, we conducted a survey addressing logistical and medical issues. A questionnaire was sent to 24 air ambulance companies in Europe. Seventy-nine percent of European companies returned the questionnaire, 95% of the companies consider the transfer of heavyweight patients challenging, and 21% have experienced critical incidents related to the patient's obesity. Forty-seven percent have standard operating procedures in place for bariatric transports. Only 26% will dispatch extra personnel for such flights. Dedicated tools for transferring, bedding, and securing patients are available very inconsistently. Medical provisions such as airway management, monitoring, and vascular access for the obese reach high standards. While medical resources for obesity-related problems reach a high standard, poor logistical preparations could lead to harm for patient and medical escort alike.