Aeromedical transfer of burned patients: a review with special reference to European civilian practice

Inter-hospital transfer of a patient with a burn injury can usually be undertaken with confidence, even for non-medical reasons, as long as it is undertaken with care. Transfer by air has many advantages for the seriously burned patient provided that all potential risk factors are taken into account. There is a need to consider infection, the respiratory condition and the cardiovascular status of the patient. The possibility of other injuries should also be borne in mind. Early transfer requires careful but urgent planning if it is to be achieved, as is desirable, by days 3 or 4 postburn. Transfer during or at the end of the resuscitation phase, or in the convalescent phase when skin cover is well established, poses least problems. Plenty of sterile paraffin gauze, wool and crêpe bandages will be needed. Appropriate monitoring equipment and full cardiovascular and respiratory resuscitation facilities should be carried. Care should be taken in the selection of the medical and nursing personnel to accompany the patient, who should whenever possible have experience of burns as well as aviation medicine.