Helicopter patient transportation service on the Ulleung Island, South Korea

Despite numerous studies of helicopter emergency medical services, few reports have examined the outcomes of patients transported by helicopter across the sea from isolated islands. We analyzed helicopter transportation from the isolated Ulleung Island, which lies to the east of the South Korean mainland.

This study included 284 patients transported from the Ulleung Island to mainland hospitals between January 2007 and March 2013. Emergency Severity Index and Injury Severity Score were calculated. Hospital stay time and flight duration was measured. Data were analyzed using Student's t-test.

The mean age of the patients was 53.5 years. Of the transported patients, 19.0% were visitors to the island and 29.6% were traumatically injured. The mortality rate after transportation was 11.6% (33 patients).

Helicopter transportation has been very beneficial for the treatment of emergency patients on Ulleung Island. A national level of interest and investment is required to improve this service.