Aeromedical retrieval diagnostic trends during a period of Coronavirus 2019 lockdown

Abstract

Background: Little is known on the trends of aeromedical retrieval (AR) during social isolation. Aim: To compare the pre, lockdown, and post-lockdown AR patient characteristics during a period of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) social isolation. Methods: An observational study with retrospective data collection, consisting of AR between 26 January and 23 June 2020. Results: There were 16 981 AR consisting of 1983 (11.7%) primary evacuations and 14 998 (88.3%) inter-hospital transfers, with a population median age of 52 years (interquartile range 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-..