Aeromedical retrieval diagnostic trends during a period of Coronavirus 2019 lockdown.

Abstract

Little is known on the trends of aeromedical retrieval during social isolation. To compare the pre, lockdown, and post-lockdown aeromedical retrieval (AR) patient characteristics during a period of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) social isolation. An observational study with retrospective data collection, consisting of AR between 26 January and 23 June 2020. There were 16981 ARs consisting of 1983 (11.7%) primary evacuations (PEs) and 14998 (88.3%) inter-hospital transfers (IHTs), with a population median age of 52 years (interquartile range [IQR] 29.0-69.0), with 49.0% (n= 8283) of the cohort being male and 38.0% (n= 6399) being female. There were six confirmed and 230 suspected cases of COVID-19, with the majority of cases (n=134; 58.3%) in the social isolation period. As compared to pre-restriction, the odds of retrieval for the restriction and post-restriction period differed across time between the major diagnostic groups. This included, an increase in cardiovascular retrieval for both restriction and post-restriction periods (OR 1.12 95% CI 1.02-1.24 and OR 1.18 95% CI 1.08-1.30 respectively), increases in neoplasm in the post restriction period (OR 1.31 95% CI 1.04-1.64), and increases for congenital conditions in the restriction period (OR 2.56 95% CI 1.39-4.71). Cardiovascular and congenital conditions had increased rates of priority 1 patients in the restriction and post restriction periods. There was a decrease in endocrine and metabolic disease retrievals in the restriction period (OR 0.72 95% CI 0.53-0.98). There were lower odds during the post-restriction period for a retrievals of the respiratory system (OR 0.78 95% CI 0.67-0.93), and disease of the skin (OR 0.78 95% CI 0.6-1.0). Distribution between the 2019 and 2020 time periods differed (p<0.05), with the lockdown period resulting in a significant reduction in activity. The lockdown period resulted in increased AR rates of circulatory and congenital conditions. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.