PATIENTS AIR MEDICAL TRANPORT DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

IntroductionAir medical transport during the COVID-19 pandemic was essential for transferring critically-ill patients from distant geographic areas with scarce resources to specialized hospitals. The aim of this study comparatively analyze air transported and without according their clinical condition complications that occurred flight.MethodsThis a retrospective cohort which analyzed digital records adult by fixed-wing aircraft interior state Amazonas capital Manaus, Brazil, June 2019 May 2021. Pearson’s chi-squared, Fisher’s exact Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests were applied in data analysis significance level p<.05.ResultsThe sample consisted 741 (60.59% men, median age 54 years). incidence flight 7.28%, emphasis on dyspnea, psychomotor agitation pain. There significant difference between (n = 466) 275) regarding variables (p<.001), comorbidities body mass index impact (p<.001) priority (p =.002) transfer, physiological severity use vasoactive drugs when boarding =.033) occurrence respiratory =.003).DiscussionPatients older, had more severely ill, higher index, frequency drug complications. Although there are minimal differences among these who care, role inter-hospital transfer plays reducing burden local, less well-equipped hospitals is primary transport, particularly pandemics.