Criteria for choosing the method of inter-hospital transportation of patients with severe trauma

Objective: substantiate the criteria for choosing a method for inter-hospital transportation of patients with severe trauma for the territorial system of medical support for the troops of the Western Military District.Materials and methods. We studied 121 cases of inter-hospital transportation of patients with severe trauma in the territorial system of medical support for the troops of the Western Military District for the period 2015–2020. The time of inter-hospital transportation of patients by an ambulance car of class C and by helicopter was studied at various distances between medical organizations: up to 70 km, from 70 to 200 km, more than 200 km.Results and discussion. At distances between medical organizations of more than 200 km, the average time of medical aviation evacuation of patients with severe injuries by helicopter was 176±35 minutes, and the average time of medical evacuation of patients in a class C ambulance was 290±43 minutes (p=0,04). When the distance between medical organizations is less than 200 km, the average time of medical aviation evacuation of patients with severe trauma by helicopter was 126±43 minutes, and the average time of medical evacuation of patients in a class C ambulance was 137±37 minutes (p=0,85).Conclusions. The main factor in choosing a method for carrying out inter-hospital transportation of patients with severe trauma in the territorial system of medical support for the troops of the Western Military District is the distance between medical organizations. It is advisable to plan medical aviation evacuation of patients with severe trauma by helicopter when the distance between medical organizations is more than 200 km.