Weather Webcam System for the Safety of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services in Miyazaki, Japan.
OBJECTIVE
In Japan, the helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) system was initiated in 2001 and introduced to Miyazaki Prefecture in 2012. Mountainous areas occupy 88% of Miyazaki's land area, and HEMS flights can be subject to the effects of weather. Therefore, ensuring safety in changing weather conditions is a necessity for HEMS.


METHODS
The weather webcam system (WWS) was established to observe the meteorological conditions in 29 locations. Assessments of the probability of a flight based on conventional data including a weather chart provided by the Japan Meteorological Agency and meteorological reports provided by the Miyazaki Airport were compared with the assessment based on the combination of the information obtained from the WWS and the conventional data.


RESULTS
The results showed that the probability of a flight by HEMS increased when using the WSS, leading to an increased transportation opportunity for patients in the mountains who rely on HEMS. In addition, the results indicate that the WWS may prevent flights in unfavorable weather conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
The WWS used in conjunction with conventional weather data within Miyazaki HEMS increased the pilot's awareness of current weather conditions throughout the Prefecture, increasing the probability of accepting a flight.
Emergency Medicine, Acute Critical Care Center, University of Miyazaki Hospital, Miyazaki, Japan. Electronic address: kanema@med.miyazaki-u.ac.jp.
Katsuhiro
K
Kanemaru
Department of Emergency Medicine, UC Irvine, Orange, CA.
Robert
R
Katzer
NishiNippon Airlines, Fukuoka, Japan.
Syu
S
Hanato
NishiNippon Airlines, Fukuoka, Japan.
Koji
K
Nakamura
Emergency Medicine, Acute Critical Care Center, University of Miyazaki Hospital, Miyazaki, Japan.
Hiroshi
H
Matsuoka
Emergency Medicine, Acute Critical Care Center, University of Miyazaki Hospital, Miyazaki, Japan.
Hidenobu
H
Ochiai
D017732:Air Ambulances; D003657:Decision Making; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D020407:Internet; D007564:Japan; D000070356:Pilots; D014887:Weather