EARLY RADICAL TREATMENT WITH PRE-HOSPITAL EVALUATION BY RAPID RESPONSE CAR AND HELICOPTER FOR PATIENTS WITH SEVERE TRAUMA

Abstract

　　Objectives : We examined radical treatment for severe trauma when medical treatment was started in the rapid response car or helicopter. Patients and methods : Patients who underwent emergency room abdominal surgery between January 2008 and December 2014 were divided into two groups : conveyance by ambulance alone (ambulance group) or by rapid response car and helicopter dispatch (RRC/DH group). Result : The groups comprised 61 patients. There was no difference in the time from diagnosis to the start of medical treatment between groups, but the time taken to reach the hospital was longer in the RRC/DH group. The time from admission to the start of surgery was shorter in the RRC/DH group (32.5 minutes) than in the ambulance group (62.7 minutes). The times from admission to the start of red blood cell transfusion (29.6 minutes) and fresh frozen plasma transfusion (52.1 minutes) were also shorter in the RRC/DH group, with the ambulance group requiring 50.6 and 104.8 minutes, respectively. The 24-hour survival and survival discharge rates were higher in the RRC/DH group, but this difference was not significant. Conclusion : We may be able to improve the prognosis for severe trauma patients by starting surgery and blood transfusions earlier in a rapid response car or helicopter.