[Rescue helicopters in secondary missions]

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Aeromedical Services

Context:

• The Ulm Rescue Centre's helicopter missions show a unique 1:2 ratio of primary to secondary missions.
• This differs from other helicopter bases, likely due to Ulm's geographical and hospital network structure.

Purpose:

• To analyze the operational characteristics of helicopter rescue missions, focusing on the high proportion of secondary missions.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) beyond rapid doctor deployment.

Summary:

• Over five years, 560 primary and 1150 secondary missions were conducted.
• Secondary missions are crucial, highlighting the helicopter's role as a mobile intensive care unit for patient transport.
• Findings align with ADAC statistics, emphasizing patient transport alongside emergency doctor dispatch.

Impact:

• Future HEMS must prioritize onboard space and equipment for in-flight diagnostics and therapeutics.
• Optimizing helicopter capabilities for both rapid response and patient transport is essential for improving emergency care outcomes.