HEMS essential to responding to torso trauma

Research from Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) and the University of Surrey has asserted the critical support provided by HEMS in responding to penetrating torso trauma in rural areas, most commonly associated with stabbings and shootings.

The research analyzed six years of data – between 1 Jaunary 2014 and 31 December 2019 – and the criticality of HEMS in expediting critical treatment for penetrating trauma patients in rural and semi-rural areas, and will inform multi-agency knife crime prevention strategies.

The study concluded:

• KSS attended 363 patients who had sustained a penetrating torso injury;
• 88% of these patients were male with a median age of 30 years;
• 62% of these incidents occurred during the night;
• 121 HEMS-specific interventions were performed in 14% of patients, with chest surgical decompression the most common (n=31);
• The median time from incident occurring to arriving in hospital was 1.5 hours, with HEMS arriving in a median of 39 minutes to start critical care, before the patient arrived in hospital;
• Heat map incidence data closely correlated with County Lines.

HEMS teams more aware of underlying injuries

Professor Richard Lyon MBE, Associate Medical Director at KSS and Professor of Pre-Hospital Emergency Care at the University of Surrey, said: “We know that time is absolutely critical to patients who have suffered penetrating torso trauma from a knife or gunshot injury. It can be challenging to discern which injuries require immediate intervention.

“Penetrating trauma patients can initially present as stable but can quickly deteriorate into a life-threatening condition. Getting the advanced clinical skills and clinical decision-making of HEMS teams to patients as quickly as possible can significantly improve outcomes for these patients.

“From their significant clinical experience, HEMS teams are more aware of underlying injuries and, in addition to providing emergency treatment at the scene, also have the capability to intervene en route to hospital if required. 34 patients in our study required a blood transfusion whilst being transferred by KSS to hospital.”

The CEO of KSS, David Welch, was recently shortlisted by Charity Times for its Charity Leader of the Year award.