Study suggests dedicated children’s heli needed
Sheffield Hallam University has highlighted the findings of research undertaken to determine the benefit of having a dedicated aeromedical response for the region’s neonatal and paediatric patients.
Sheffield Hallam University in the UK recently highlighted the findings of research undertaken at the request of Embrace, the Yorkshire and Humber Infant and Children’s inter-hospital transfer service, to determine the benefit of having a dedicated aeromedical response for the region’s neonatal and paediatric patients. The study was conducted by David Clegg, a senior lecturer at the university’s Materials and Engineering Research Institute, who, together with a post-graduate student, developed a simulation model to assess the difference in service between using dedicated helicopters and the traditional land-based ambulance service. A statement from the university explains that in particular, they were trying to determine whether dedicated helicopters would reduce transfer times compared to the ‘uncommitted service currently in operation’ (i.e. ad hoc requests made to the local HEMS charities that cater to patients of all ages).
The model created by the researchers looked at 47 opportunities where a helicopter could have been used in the Yorkshire and Humber region. According to the study, with a non-dedicated aeromedical response service, 29 of these calls wouldn’t have been responded too. However, with a dedicated aeromedical service, 93 per cent of potential calls where road transfers would take more than 90 minutes could have been accessed by a dedicated helicopter, reducing patient waiting time and potentially saving lives.
The University stated that the research has helped Embrace develop an improved aeromedical service that focuses on the care of potentially vulnerable patients, such as children. The model can be adjusted for other regions, so it’s likely that the work will have even more impact in the future, said the University.
Ian Braithwaite, senior transport nurse at Embrace said: “[The Research Institute’s] advanced simulation modelling provided us with an understanding of our activity which we could not have achieved independently. This allowed us to reassure our aircraft providers that our expected helicopter utilisation could be integrated with their existing operations. The involvement of an outside partner in the data analysis provided some valuable perspective within the project.”
Embrace began utilising The Children’s Air Ambulance service, which is dedicated to inter-hospital transfers of children and neonatal patients, in May 2013.
Alex Toft, director of operations and clinical services for The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS), welcomed the findings: “It is further validation from an independent group, Sheffield Hallam University, of the benefit of The Children’s Air Ambulance. It proves by working with [National Health Service] clinical partner teams, we are ensuring the best utilisation of our aircraft to help provide and assist our most vulnerable and sickest of children and babies. This is a free service to the National Health Service. We don’t get any Government funding and rely entirely on public donations and corporate sponsorships to raise the £134,000 a month needed to keep the service running.”
Clive Dickin, national director of the Association of Air Ambulances, responded the findings publicised by the University, saying: “The Association’s position is unchanged at this time: it recognises that there is a group of patients that could benefit from a dedicated secondary paediatric service, and that already established air ambulances often carry paediatric secondary transfers by special arrangement. It also questions the need of one centralised aircraft and believes more research is needed to consider a more flexible multi-aircraft model including fixed-wing aircraft.”