[Helicopter assistance in Sicily. Peculiar aspects of a 3-year experience]

To report our experience concerning the first aid effected by helicopter both on scene (primary rescue) and interhospital transport of already treated patients requiring a highest level of diagnosis and treatment (secondary rescue), and the peculiar aspect appeared from the analysis of the obtained results, that is the predominance of the secondary rescue on the primary one.

Retrospective evaluation of the interventions effected from August 1990 to February 1993.

Critical care units of a University teaching Hospital.

2669 interventions were effected: 2082 were secondary rescues (78%) and 587 primary rescue (22%). The patients actually transported by helicopter were 2419 (M = 1702; F = 717). The leading cause of non effected interventions was the deficiency of illuminated helicopter landing area; for the primary rescue, the main cause was the distance from the scene and the transport with land vehicles. The most frequent admission were for intensive care unit, neurosurgery, cardiac-surgery and neonatology, in only three towns. Indeed, the failing of Specialized Units involves the use of helicopter in interhospital transport for long periods, and this can remove time from primary rescue.

As mentioned above, the peculiar aspect of our experience is the predominance of the secondary rescue on the primary one. It can be attributed particularly to the geographic and orographical characteristics of our region, together with the organization deficiencies in the field of emergency medical services.