The Characteristics of Patients Transferred by Helicopter Ambulance in Erzurum

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of patients transferred by ambulance helicopter in Erzurum. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the records of patients transferred by ambulance helicopter between 2009 and 2012. Medical, demographics, geographic and flight data of the patients were all analyzed. Results: A total of 347 (185 male, 162 female) patients were included in the study. 167 patients (48.4%) aged between 18 and 65 years. In the adult patients, the most common diagnoses were medical conditions in 82 (65.6%) men and 43 (34.4%) women. The number of male and female patients transferred during the summer was 64 (35%) and 50 (30.9%); in autumn, 54 (29.5%) and 34 (21%); in winter, 35 (19.1%) and 44 (27.1%); and in the spring, 30 (16.4%) and 34 (21%), respectively. Conclusion: Transferring patients living far from medical centers by air ambulance has become common. Plane and helicopter ambulances have become a part of emergency services. Since evidence was obtained on the outcomes of patients affected positively by helicopter transfer, air health transfer services and the number of air ambulances covered by insurance companies have increased recently.