Evaluation of Obstetric Patient Transfers by Helicopter in Turkey

Aims: Air ambulance services, which began in 2008 in our country, have become increasingly widespread. Today, there are command centers in 17 cities, and helicopter ambulances are preferably provided during the day, while air craft ambulances are used at night. The aim of the present study was to examine the characteristics of obstetric patient transfers by helicopter ambulance throughout Turkey in 2020. Materials and methods: This study was started after receiving permission from the Turkish Ministry of Health, and all obstetric cases transported by helicopter ambulance throughout the country between 01.01.2020 and 31.12.2020 were retrospectively examined and included in the study. Results: The mean age was 27.46 ± 5.98 (mean ± SD), and the three most common conditions were non-complicated pregnancy (n = 9), preeclampsia (n = 8), and early membrane rupture (n = 5). Regarding the flights, 13 (34.2%) took place in the spring, 13 (34.2%) in the summer, 9 (23.7%) in the autumn, and 3 (7.9%) in the winter. The median flight time was 63 minutes (IQR: 52.50-78.75). If the same distances had been taken by road, the estimated transfer time would have been 96 minutes (IQR: 87.75-124.5). Discussion: Although the air transfer of high-risk obstetric patients has been carried out for more than four decades, there are still controversial headlines on this topic. Studies have shown that high-risk newborns are more likely to survive when they are born in a place with a perinatal care center compared to local births and subsequent transfers. This data is similar to the data in the present study. Meanwhile, a report on all existing studies in 2000 and beyond showed that, compared to land transfers, helicopter transfers generally led to better results in terms of survival rates and treatment termination, and patients reached their health care facilities faster and time interval up to final treatment improved. Conclusion: The medical transportation of high-risk obstetric patients can be performed safely by air. Furthermore, air transfers help reduce maternal mortality and morbidity by reducing the time until patients receive precise treatment.