Aeromedical Pediatric Burn Transportation: A Six-Year Review.
Journal of burn care & research · 2014-11-26 · Observational study
Abstract
Aeromedical transportation has been shown to be a safe and efficient mode of transportation for critical care patients, including adult burn patients. Common flight concerns specific to the care of the burn patient are maintenance of intravenous lines and airway access, precision of ongoing fluid resuscitation, and effective treatment of hemodynamic instability. These concerns are particularly crucial when patients are transported by flight teams with limited burn experience. The purpose of this study was to review the safety and outcomes associated with 6 years of aeromedical pediatric burn transportation and to ascertain if differences exist when using a dedicated burn pediatric flight team versus a non-dedicated burn pediatric flight teams. Through a retrospective, IRB approved, chart review from January 2007 to January 2013, all aeromedical admissions were evaluated for demographic data, flight data, complications, and medical interventions. A total of 333 patients were transported by air, of which 282 transfers occurred during the first week of burn injury. In-flight complications occurred in <10% of patients and primarily involved airway and hemodynamic issues. There were no in-flight deaths. Patients transported by alternate teams were noted to be more hypothermic and hypotensive on admission (p < .001). Alternate teams were also noted to transfer older patients, spend less time with initial patient evaluation, and travelled shorter distances (p < .05). Aeromedical transportation of the pediatric burn patient is safe and associated with minimal complications. Communications with the transferring hospitals can facilitate transfer of the pediatric burn patient. When using alternate flight teams, particular attention should focus on resuscitation and maintenance of euthermia with large burn patients.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via PubMed. Reuse and removal
Tags
Helicopter & air ambulance · Children · Interfacility & critical care transport
Related articles
- Transfusion in transit: A decade of prehospital blood transfusion in pediatric trauma. (J Trauma Acute Care Surg, 2026)
- Transport of Trauma Patients by Airway: Turkish Experience (Eurasian Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2022)
- Transportation of Critically Ill Pediatric Patients as Disaster Relief by the Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. (Air Med J, 2026)
- Respiratory support during neonatal and infant aeromedical interfacility transfers in the Western Cape, South Africa: a retrospective review. (BMC Emerg Med, 2025)
- Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Emergency Air Medical Transport of Pediatric Patients in the Penghu Islands. (Healthcare (Basel), 2025)
- High-Risk Pediatric Mental Health Transports-Improving Barriers to Getting Help: A Standardized Approach to High-Risk Pediatric Mental Health Transports. (Air Med J, 2025)