Experience of transfer of 760 trauma patients with helicopter after the Wenchuan Earthquake
- VernacularTitle:760例"5·12"汶川地震伤员的直升机转运
- Author:
Hai HU
;
Qing HE
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Wenchuan Earthquake;
Helicopter;
Transportation;
Wounded
- From:
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine
2008;17(9):911-913
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
From the third day after Wenchuan Earthquake,the Chinese government and army dispatched 90 helicopters per day to transport the wounded to Chengdu City (about 100 km away from earthquake-hit area). From 14 May to 21 May 2008, West China Hospital of Sichuan University received totally 760 wounded mainly from Wenchuan, Yingxiu, Maoxian, Beichuan, Lixian, Mianzu. Transfering patients by helicopter is characterized by rapid,flexible and non-restriction from terrain conditions.Compared with transfer on the land,injury induced during the transfer is reduced. However, the height of helicopter cabin is low,so it's difficult for doctors to carry out related treatment works. The instability during the flight also brought a lot of difficulties for the medical care.The rapid change of speed during take-off and landing caused a series of physiological changes on patients, such as thoracic pressure. Wenchuan is located in the mountains,and this also brought difficulties for the flight. The potentially savable victims,whose lives wouldn't be threatened with bad wound and wouldn't die in a short time,should be given the priority of transfer by helicopter. During the trip of transfer,the life-threatening occurrences, such as asphyxia, persistent convulsion and shock, were well prevented. At the same time, airway management, monitoring of vital signs and necessary consolation were important. After arrival at airport, the medical staff waiting at airport should watch and evaluate the patency of airway and vital signs carefully. If the airway obstruction, vital signs unstable and some other critical events are identified, the first aid at airport is essential. When patients are stable,they can be transported to the nearest hospital where the emergency treatment is available. Besides observation of patients' condition, registration of the name, age, address and the phone number of casualties should be done in the ambulance. Stick a label of the general information and the preliminary diagnosis of the patient on bare intact skin. The selection of casualties before transfer and the first aid at the airport are very important for successful short distance trip by helicopter.
