Epidemiology of aeromedical evacuation: an analysis of 504 cases.
BACKGROUND
Increasing air travel has resulted in a significant increase in aeromedical evacuation (AE) over the past decade. However, there are limited epidemiological data available on the diagnosis, costs, and transport characteristics of AE cases.


METHODS
Cases of AE by a relief organization (Workers' Samaritan Federation Germany) were analyzed based on the following criteria: age, sex, and diagnosis of the patient, ventilation mode, days of illness before transport, type of transport, flight routes, flying time, flight distance, type of aircraft, type and distance of connecting transport from the destination airport to the final hospital, total cost per repatriation, cost per flight-minute, and cost per flight-kilometer of each transport type.


RESULTS
A total of 504 patients (273 males, 231 females, aged 42 d-96 y, median 66 y) were included in the study. The top three diagnoses for adults were fracture of the femoral neck (n = 74, 15%), stroke (n = 69, 14%), and myocardial infarction (n = 39, 8%). Transport was carried out with an air ambulance (n = 391, 78%, 73.67 €/min), a scheduled aircraft with regular seating (n = 62, 12%, 17.57 €/min), a stretcher in a scheduled aircraft (n = 48, 10%, 35.28 €/min), or a patient transport compartment installed on board a scheduled aircraft (n = 3, < 1%).


CONCLUSIONS
As the demand for AE is likely to increase in the future, the cost-effectiveness and selection of the appropriate form of air transportation, while assuring the right medical response, will be of increasing importance. Patients are likely to benefit from further epidemiological assessments like those presented in this study.
Dermatologic Surgery Unit, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany. michael.sand@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
Michael
M
Sand
Marcus
M
Bollenbach
Daniel
D
Sand
Hartmut
H
Lotz
Christina
C
Thrandorf
Christoph
C
Cirkel
Peter
P
Altmeyer
Falk Georges
FG
Bechara
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017732:Air Ambulances; D000401:Aircraft / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012066:Relief Work; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014195:Travel; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult