When experience counts – a critical care mission from Shanghai to the UK

The bespoke case involved a middle-aged female patient in Shanghai, China, recovering from a massive haemorrhagic stroke, with the patient’s insurance company requesting assistance for repatriating the woman back to her hometown in Nottingham, UK.

Upon reviewing the case and the very few medical notes provided, Redstar’s Medical Leadership and Operations coordination quickly understood that this would be an incredibly challenging mission, with several obstacles that had to be resolved. The unique complexities of the patient's critical condition, coupled with the long-haul nature of the fl ight and challenges in obtaining comprehensive and more importantly current medical information, made this mission particularly demanding. Luckily, Redstar is perfectly equipped for such challenging cases, with decades of experience and unparalleled commitment to safe care in the air, the operations and medical team immediately sprang into action.

One of the primary challenges that presented itself was the diffi culty in obtaining detailed and up-to-date medical information from the patient’s local hospital. Thankfully, due to Redstar’s wide ranging network and excellent diplomatic connections, the team was able to obtain additional information about the current condition.

The patient had suffered a haemorrhagic stroke three weeks prior, and the available information indicated improving brain oedema, stable vital signs with low oxygen support, and acceptable lab results. Despite limited data, the patient was deemed medically fit to fly on air ambulance with a long-haul aircraft.

Shortly after, the mission was initiated, utilising one of RSA's four Challenger 605 aircraft – an aircraft perfectly equipped for such complex cases due to the large cabin space and its long-range capabilities. The selected route included a stopover in Almaty before landing in Shanghai.

Upon arrival in Shanghai, RSA's medical crew conducted a thorough on-site assessment, confi rming the patient's condition was consistent with the earlier reports. Language barriers posed communication challenges with the handing-over crew, but it was established that the patient had been steadily recovering from the stroke, maintaining stable vital parameters. Unfortunately, prolonged hospitalisation had led to skin ulcerations in the lower back due to persistent hemiplegia which had not been presented in earlier medical notes.

As was to be expected the 18- hour fl ight demanded continuous ICU monitorisation, nursing care, and interventions to ensure the patient remained stable and comfortable, despite her condition. RSA's medical crew demonstrated unparalleled resilience and adaptability, ensuring the patient's utmost wellbeing throughout the lengthy journey. Careful positioning and nursing interventions were crucial to prevent further complications arising from the skin issues while assuring the patient remained comfortable enough to rest.

Maintaining the highest standards of care during the extended flight necessitated a mid-mission crew change at RSA's base in LTBA to avoid fatigue. The transition to a fresh, rested crew exemplifi ed RSA's commitment to providing unwavering medical care in challenging situations. This strategic crew change ensured optimal performance without exhaustion, emphasising the dedication of the entire team involved in the mission.

After three lengthy flight legs, the aircraft landed as scheduled in the United Kingdom. The patient, remarkably in better condition than at the mission's outset, was promptly accompanied to the hospital and handed over to the receiving crew. The successful repatriation not only showcased the technical capabilities of RSA’s aeromedical team and the advantages of having a dedicated long-range fleet to choose from, but also underscored their unwavering dedication to providing excellent care at 40,000 feet.

The case also demonstrates that intricate planning, adaptability, and commitment are required in executing a challenging long-haul intercontinental medical repatriation mission. Despite facing extremely limited medical information and language barriers, RSA's aeromedical team successfully navigated the complexities, ensuring the patient's safety, comfort, and wellbeing throughout the journey.

The mission's success is yet another testament to RSA's team expertise, resilience, and unwavering dedication to delivering high-quality medical care, even in the most demanding scenarios. This commitment reflects RSA's position as a stand-out global leader and trusted partner in aeromedical transports all around the world, fully dedicated to ensuring the wellbeing of patients in even the most demanding and critical situations.