Hilbig A1, Adams D1, Ho S1, Gray T1, Steere M2,3, Ullah S3, Matthews T5,6, Johnson R1,3,4
1Alice Springs Hospital, NT Health, 2Royal Flying Doctor Service SA/NT, 3Charles Darwin University, 4Flinders University, 5Adelaide University, 6South Australia Ambulance Service
Biography:
Dr Dan Adams is an Emergency Staff Specialist and Director of the Central Australian Retrieval Service at Alice Springs Hospital.
Dr Simon Ho is an Emergency Staff Specialist and Deputy Director of the Central Australian Retrieval Service, with previous PHRM experience with Lifeflight and NSW Ambulance.
Abstract
Objectives: To compare existing fixed wing aeromedical retrieval times to those generated from a hypothetical rotary wing model to evaluate for a difference in time taken for medical retrieval in Central Australia.
Methods: All priority 1 and 2 fixed wing retrievals between 1st January 2023 to 30th June 2023 were retrospectively identified, and data (including basic demographic data, reason for retrieval, and time taken for retrieval) abstracted from clinical records. A hypothetical rotary wing model was established using expert consensus opinion, Google Maps for identification of landing sites, and technical rotary wing data. This model was used to generate hypothetical retrieval times for comparison to the fixed wing retrieval times.
Results: 119 priority 1 and 2 retrievals were identified; 117 were included in the analysis. Most retrievals were priority 2 (N=106, 90.6%), and adults (16 years or older) comprised 83.8% of retrievals (N=98). When compared to existing FW times, hypothetical RW retrieval times within 400km of Alice Springs Hospital were statistically significantly faster, with median time savings of 103.5 minutes (100-200km radius, p-value 0.003), 55.5 minutes (200-300km radius, p-value <0.001), and 72 minutes (300-400km radius, p-value <0.001).
Conclusion: This hypothetical model suggests a RW asset would positively impact a retrieval service operating across a large, sparsely populated geographical region.