Air ambulance transfers 700th patient

Emergency medical workers at Dankook University Hospital escort a patient after unloading her from its air ambulance. Courtesy of Dankook University Hospital

By Jung Da-min

Dankook University Hospital transferred a patient in critical condition recently by its medical evacuation helicopter.

The patient who is in her 50s was the 700th patient transferred by the hospital's so-called “doctor helicopter” since its deployment in January 2016.

According to the hospital in South Chungcheong Province, 559 of the 700 patients transferred by the emergency helicopter have been discharged. A total of 577 patients, or 82 percent, survived. The remaining 125 patients died.

“Thanks to rapid transportation by medical staff and first aid, it has been possible to reduce the mortality rate of patients including those with serious trauma, heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. The strengthened medical safety network in South Chungcheong Province also contributed,” said Cho Jong-tae, CEO of Dankook University Hospital. “We will expand the operation of air ambulances for emergency patients in nearby areas including North Chungcheong Province and Gyeonggi Province.”

The hospital is currently working with other regional trauma centers and emergency medical centers for rapid treatment of patients in critical condition.

Emergency helicopters are playing a major role in saving patients.

There are currently six of them placed at medical institutions: Gachon University Gil Medical Center in Incheon, Mokpo Hankook Hospital in South Jeolla Province, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital in Gangwon Province, Andong Hospital in North Gyeongsang Province, Dankook University Hospital in South Chungcheong Province and Wonkwang University Hospital in North Jeolla Province.

Andong Hospital's medical helicopter, which marks its fifth year since deployment, has transferred 1,694 patients as of July 1.

Six medical helicopters nationwide have so far transferred more than 6,000 patients.

In May, the Ministry of Health and Welfare decided to dispatch one chopper to Ajou University Hospital in Gyeonggi Province.

The hospital's trauma team has been working with the region's fire stations since 2011, transferring patients by fire helicopters. Firefighters will still help the hospital transport patients after the hospital deploys its own helicopter.

The health ministry has allowed patients to receive health insurance and medical benefits for emergency treatments inside the helicopter, starting July. Before, they were not able to claim insurance while being transferred.

The country introduced its first air ambulance in 2011. The number of medical helicopters here, however, is still insufficient when taking into account the country's population.

In Japan, there are currently 50 air ambulances, the first being introduced in 2001.

Korea's trauma mortality rate is 30.5 percent, while that of Japan stands at around 10 percent to 15 percent. The health ministry said it will lower the death rate to 20 percent by 2025.