10 Aug 2022
In June 2022, London’s Air Ambulance’s advanced trauma team treated a total of 161 seriously injured patients in London, which is 34 less than the previous month.
The most common mechanism of injury was penetrating trauma, which resulted in 48 patients (30 per cent). Falls from height accounted for 46 patients (28 per cent) in June, with road traffic accidents resulting in 39 patients (24 per cent), other mechanisms of injury 19 patients (12 per cent) and medical injury nine patients (six per cent).
In attending to these critically injured individuals, London’s Air Ambulance’s crew administered 31 ultrasounds, 29 rapid sequence intubations, nine blood transfusions and two thoracotomies at the scene. They also performed REBOA three times during the month, which is a rare and innovative procedure that is not commonly administered. REBOA involves balloon surgery to control internal bleeding, which London’s Air Ambulance performed the world’s first pre-hospital use of in 2014.
The busiest boroughs attended to were Southwark and Croydon and the hospital we escorted patients to the most was The Royal London Hospital – we took 50 patients (40 per cent of the month’s total) here. We took 27 patients (22 per cent) to St. Mary’s Hospital, 25 (20 per cent) to Kings College Hospital and 14 (11 per cent) to St. George’s Hospital. June 2022 also saw three fly backs to our helipad base on The Royal London Hospital, which is also uncommon.
If you’re interested in how these figures compare to a year’s worth of missions, read our 2021 annual mission report.
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 time is critical. Will you help us be there for all those who need us?