7 Sep 2022
In July 2022, the advanced trauma crew – that always consists of at least one doctor and one paramedic – attended to 165 patients. This is four more in comparison to June 2022.
Treating these patients included administering 37 ultrasounds, 22 rapid sequence intubations, 11 blood transfusions and seven femoral arterial lines at the roadside, when there wasn’t enough time to get to hospital. The team also performed REBOA once during the month. REBOA stands for Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta and refers to an innovative procedure that uses balloon surgery to control internal bleeding. In 2014, the world’s first pre-hospital use of REBOA was performed by London’s Air Ambulance.
The most common mechanism of injury in July was penetrating trauma, which resulted in 56 patients (34 per cent). Road traffic collisions saw 44 patients (27 per cent), falls from height 39 patients (23 per cent), other mechanisms of injury 15 (nine per cent) and medical injuries 11 (seven per cent).
Half of the month’s patients that required a ground escort were taken to The Royal London Hospital (51 patients). On top of this, four patients were flown back to our helipad base at The Royal London Hospital, which is a rare occurrence. St Mary’s Hospital received 21 of our patients and King’s College Hospital 16.
Regarding London boroughs, the busiest area that was attended to during the month was Tower Hamlets, with Ealing as the second most visited.
We publish each month’s mission report as well as yearly report. Read 2021’s annual mission report if you’re interested to see last year’s statistics.
London’s Air Ambulance brings the hospital to the scene to deliver urgent, cutting-edge medical care. It is because of our amazing supporters that our teams are able to get to patients when every second counts. Will you help us continue to save lives in London?