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Koniaris D, Suciu C, Nica S. Flight to Recovery: Impact of a Rooftop Helipad Air Ambulance Service at the Emergency University Hospital of Bucharest-A Caseload Analysis of the First 3 Years After Its Implementation. Air Med J 2024; 43:321-327. [PMID: 38897695 DOI: 10.1016/j.amj.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This observational study provides an overview of the implementation and impact of the helipad at the Bucharest Emergency University Hospital, Romania. The helipad, established in April 2019, is the only rooftop medical helipad in Bucharest authorized for day and night flights. Its influence extends beyond the local region, enabling the hospital to receive patients from various cities across Romania. The helipad has particularly strengthened the hospital's capabilities in cardiology, neurovascular emergencies, and neonatal care. Patients with acute myocardial infarctions or strokes can now be swiftly transported to the hospital for immediate intervention, whereas critically ill newborns can receive specialized care at the earliest stages of their lives. The objective of this article was to present a comprehensive timeline of the helipad's implementation and to demonstrate its transformative role in improving patient transportation, enhancing medical interventions, and elevating the overall efficiency of the health care facility. METHODS The study is a retrospective regional caseload analysis based on data gathered from the Emergency Department of the University Emergency Hospital of Bucharest database. We included all 215 air transfer missions registered between December 2019 and December 2022, exactly 3 years apart from the beginning of the program. RESULTS The findings provide valuable insights into patient demographics, case distribution, and trends, highlighting the importance of specialized medical interventions at the University Emergency Hospital of Bucharest. In particular, the mean age of patients treated at the hospital was 55.9 years, with a higher representation of males (156) than females (59). The average duration of hospitalization was 10.68 days. The study also examined transportation statistics, showing a decrease in the average number of transports per month over the years. Cardiologic cases accounted for the highest frequency (62.8%) among the analyzed categories followed by neurosurgery (8.8%) and neurologic cases (8.4%). CONCLUSION The analysis provides important insights into patient demographics, case distribution, and trends. The findings highlight the significance of specialized medical interventions, particularly in cardiology and neurosurgery, which accounted for the majority of the cases. The implementation of the helipad has greatly improved patient transportation and facilitated timely medical assistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Constantin Suciu
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Bucharest, Romania; Department of Emergency Medicine, Emergency University Hospital of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Silvia Nica
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Bucharest, Romania; Department of Emergency Medicine, Emergency University Hospital of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
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Vervoort D, Kimmaliardjuk DM, Ross HJ, Fremes SE, Ouzounian M, Mashford-Pringle A. Access to Cardiovascular Care for Indigenous Peoples in Canada: A Rapid Review. CJC Open 2022; 4:782-791. [PMID: 36148252 PMCID: PMC9486860 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjco.2022.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Indigenous peoples in Canada are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease compared to non-Indigenous people. Contributing factors include historical oppression, racism, healthcare biases, and disparities in terms of the social determinants of health. Access to and inequity in cardiovascular care for Indigenous peoples in Canada remain poorly studied and understood. A rapid review of the literature was performed using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Indigenous Studies Portal (iPortal) databases to identify articles describing access to cardiovascular care for Indigenous peoples in Canada between 2002 and 2021. Included articles were presented narratively in the context of delays in seeking, reaching, or receiving care, or as disparities in cardiovascular outcomes, and were assessed for their successful engagement in indigenous health research using a preexisting framework. Current research suggests that gaps most prominently present as delays in receiving care and as poorer long-term outcomes. The literature is concentrated in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario, as well as among First Nations people, and is largely rooted in a biomedical worldview. Additional community-driven research is required to better elucidate the gaps in access to holistic cardiovascular care for Indigenous peoples in Canada. Healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers should reflect further upon their actions and privilege, educate themselves about historical facts and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, tackle prevailing disparities and systemic barriers in the healthcare systems, and develop culturally safe and ethically appropriate healthcare interventions to improve the health of all Indigenous peoples in Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Vervoort
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Corresponding author: Dr Dominique Vervoort, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, 155 College St, 4th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3M6, Canada. Tel.: +1-416-989-7874.
| | - Donna May Kimmaliardjuk
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Eastern Health, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Heather J. Ross
- Division of Cardiology, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen E. Fremes
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Schulich Heart Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maral Ouzounian
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angela Mashford-Pringle
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Hummelen R, Lee H, Russell-Mahoney B, Maxwell S, Semple D, Osmond D, Asokan S, Poirier J, Kelly L. Demographics of mental healthcare presentations in a northwest Ontario emergency department. CAN J EMERG MED 2021; 24:161-166. [PMID: 34859392 DOI: 10.1007/s43678-021-00223-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Providing emergency mental health services for populations in remote rural areas of Canada is challenging. Program needs are distinct. We describe the emergency mental health workload and service needs at the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) in northwest Ontario. METHODS Emergency department (ED) data were collected for mental health, addiction and self-harm diagnoses (MHA) in 2018/2019. Comparisons were made to similar sized provincial hospitals and EDs. Mental health admissions data from Oct 1, 2018 to Dec 31, 2019 were manually collected from hospital medical charts for demographics, suicide attempts/ideation and frequency of applications for Form 1 psychiatric assessment. RESULTS The volume of MHA ED visits as a percentage of total ED visits was 4 times higher at SLMHC when compared to both the 67 other Ontario level C hospitals (< 100 beds) and the 15 level C hospital with a similar volume of ED visits (15,000-20,000), (15% vs 4%). Self-harm presentations were 308 at SLMHC versus an average of 42 ± 37 at the 15 level C hospitals with a similar ED volume. From Oct 1, 2019 to Dec 31, 2019, there were 49 patients requiring a Form 1, with an average wait time of 55 h before transfer to a schedule 1 facility. CONCLUSION There is an increased level of mental health, addiction and self-harm presentations in this northern ED. Lack of alternative resources indicate the need for the development of an integrated model of mental health care service. Reliance on the ED for crisis management indicates the need for the development of more regionally relevant models of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Hummelen
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sioux Lookout, ON, Canada
| | - Heather Lee
- Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, Box 489, Sioux Lookout, ON, P8T 1A8, Canada
| | | | - Sadie Maxwell
- Board Chair, Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, Sioux Lookout, ON, Canada
| | - Doug Semple
- Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, Box 489, Sioux Lookout, ON, P8T 1A8, Canada
| | - Dean Osmond
- Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, Box 489, Sioux Lookout, ON, P8T 1A8, Canada
| | - Shanthive Asokan
- Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, Box 489, Sioux Lookout, ON, P8T 1A8, Canada
| | - Jenna Poirier
- Sioux Lookout Local Education Group, Sioux Lookout, ON, Canada
| | - Len Kelly
- Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, Box 489, Sioux Lookout, ON, P8T 1A8, Canada.
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Sy E, Ross T. Transport par ambulance aérienne. CMAJ 2021; 193:E1791-E1792. [PMID: 34810169 PMCID: PMC8608456 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.210354-f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eric Sy
- Collège de médecine (Sy et Ross), Université de la Saskatchewan; Département de médecine intensive (Sy), Autorité sanitaire de la Saskatchewan; Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS) (Sy et Ross); Département de médecine d'urgence (Ross), Autorité sanitaire de la Saskatchewan, Regina, Sask.
| | - Terrance Ross
- Collège de médecine (Sy et Ross), Université de la Saskatchewan; Département de médecine intensive (Sy), Autorité sanitaire de la Saskatchewan; Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS) (Sy et Ross); Département de médecine d'urgence (Ross), Autorité sanitaire de la Saskatchewan, Regina, Sask
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Sy E, Ross T. Air ambulance transport. CMAJ 2021; 193:E1462. [PMID: 34544785 PMCID: PMC8476219 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.210354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eric Sy
- College of Medicine (Sy, Ross), University of Saskatchewan; Department of Critical Care (Sy), Saskatchewan Health Authority; Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS) (Sy, Ross); Department of Emergency Medicine (Ross), Saskatchewan Health Authority, Regina, Sask.
| | - Terrance Ross
- College of Medicine (Sy, Ross), University of Saskatchewan; Department of Critical Care (Sy), Saskatchewan Health Authority; Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS) (Sy, Ross); Department of Emergency Medicine (Ross), Saskatchewan Health Authority, Regina, Sask
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