Busy year for DRF Luftrettung with high demand for Covid transport

2020 turned out exceptionally busy for German air rescue service DRF Luftrettung. To be able to meet the high demand and challenging flights, it was crucial to develop systems and routines to protect both crewmembers and patients further.

“By using the EpiShuttle isolation stretcher, all crewmembers are optimally protected during these intensive care transports, which often last several hours. Also, the strain of wearing tight-fitting, personal protective clothing is significantly reduced,” said Dr Jörg Braun, Head of the Medicine Department at DRF Luftrettung.

DRF Luftrettung designed tools for specific use

Before Christmas DRF Luftfrettung and Luxembourg Air Rescue were awarded the Adenauer-de Gaulle prize for their ‘outstanding contribution to Franco-German solidarity’ in the pandemic. The two air rescue services performed the majority of helicopter transports of French patients to hospitals in Germany and back again. The cross-border co-operation has been critical to save lives in times of Covid hot spots and limited capacity of intensive care units.

“Collaborating with professional partners like DRF, who share their first-hand experience with the EpiShuttle in use, gives us great input on further research and development. We are also happy to see how DRF Luftrettung is designing and developing tools for their specific needs, like the ground plate for mounting the EpiShuttle in their helicopters,” explained Ellen Cathrine Andersen, CEO of EpiGuard.