Strategic air medical evacuation of critically ill patients involving an intensive care physician: A retrospective analysis of 16 years of mission data

Abstract

Background: Strategic medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) allows airborne repatriation of soldiers injured or sick on missions to their national territory. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of strategic MEDEVAC performed by intensive care physicians (ICP) and to analyze the role of the ICP in the management of critical care situations in flight.

Methods: All soldiers who had high or medium dependency conditions and who benefited from a strategic MEDEVAC with an ICP on board between 1 January 2001 and 30 November 2017 were included in this epidemiological retrospective study.

Results: A total of 452 soldiers were repatriated; the causes of repatriation were either trauma (n = 245; 54%) or medical pathologies (n = 207; 46%). Two hundred and seventy-six (61%) evacuations were performed within 48 h. The median annual number of strategic MEDEVAC with an ICP was 26 [20-32]. One hundred and fifty-five (34%) patients were mechanically ventilated and 103 (23%) received catecholamines. The median SAPS II score was 13 [8-24]. One hundred and seventy-eight adverse events were identified, of which 123 (69%) related to a worsening of the patient's clinical condition and 30 (20%) related to a technical problem. Forty-seven (20%) patients who initially appeared stable worsened during the flight. No deaths occurred on board, however, and no flights had to be diverted due to an uncontrolled care situation.

Conclusion: The results suggested that the presence of an ICP ensured a continued high-level care for patients with serious trauma and medical injuries, due to the medical and aeronautical expertise that resulted from the theoretical and practical training of the personnel on board. Based on these results, lessons regarding future MEDEVAC flights could be learned in order to continue to improve patient outcome.

Keywords: Aeronautical medicine; Combat casualties; In-flight events; Military medicine; Operational medicine; Strategic medical evacuation.