Use of Fire-Fighting Helicopters to Perform Worthwhile Medical Missions

DOI 3 Citations 8 References
  • Shirakawa Yoichi
    Department of Emergency Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine
  • Maekawa Soichi
    Department of Emergency Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine
  • Nishiyama Takashi
    Department of Emergency Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine
  • Oka Hiroyasu
    Department of Emergency Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine
  • Umakoshi Kensuke
    Department of Emergency Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine
  • Kikuchi Satoshi
    Department of Emergency Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine
  • Otsubo Saori
    Department of Emergency Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine

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Other Title
  • 山間へき地におけるピックアップ型ドクターヘリコプター運用上の課題―消防防災ヘリコプターを活用するための研究―
  • 消防防災ヘリコプターを活用するための研究

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Abstract

Fire-fighting helicopters have been inefficiently employed as a substitute for emergency medical services (EMS) helicopters in many regions of Japan. To improve the quality of medical helicopter missions, we estimated the need for medical helicopter services in the secluded area of Ehime, Kamiukena-gun, which has a population of 15, 849. During the two years of the study period (2000-2001), ambulances transported 1, 249 patients to medical centers in the Matsuyama-city area. Among these patients, 229 seriously ill patients (72.2/10, 000 person-years) were transported by ambulance during the daytime, when helicopter service is available. We divided the whole district of Kamiukena-gun into 44 areas and calculated the mean transport time from each area to the Matsuyama-city hospitals by ambulance; the mean transport times ranged from 46 to 145 minutes. We also estimated the transport time by helicopter from each area to the University Hospital in three situations: a helicopter was requested (#1) at the time of the 119 emergency call, (#2) by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) at the scene of an accident, or (#3) after transporting a patient to a local clinic. Helicopter service was calculated to be superior to ambulance service if the helicopter was dispatched before the ambulance reached the scene. The total helicopter transport times were 20 to 40 minutes shorter for 54 of the 229 serious cases that had been transported during the daytime and more than 40 minutes shorter for the 31 serious cases who would have met the conditions for situation #1, described above. Helicopter service was estimated to not have any benefit on reducing the total transport time in situation #3, described above. Fire-fighting helicopters are “slow starters”, since they need approximately 15 extra minutes to prepare for medical missions and pick up a doctor on route. The best way to overcome these limitations is to inform the helicopter station at the same time as the placement of the 119 call; this would require concrete guidelines for helicopter dispatch based on an efficient medicalcontrol system.

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