"Emergency Room in the Sky": Gyeonggi Doctor Helicopter Transports 1,804 Critical Patients Over Six Years

Gyeonggi Province has saved 1,804 patients with severe trauma over the past six years using a "doctor helicopter." The doctor helicopter is an aircraft that transports patients with critical injuries?where securing the "golden hour" is directly linked to survival?such as aortic rupture, abdominal or thoracic injuries, and pelvic fractures. A trauma surgeon is on board, and the helicopter is equipped with emergency medical devices such as an electrocardiogram monitor, an automatic chest compression device, and a ventilator, earning it the nickname "emergency room in the sky."

According to Gyeonggi Province on July 9, the province has been operating the doctor helicopter in cooperation with Ajou University Hospital since 2019. As of the end of June this year, the cumulative number of doctor helicopter dispatches stands at 1,843. Notably, last year alone, there were 573 dispatches, the highest among the eight doctor helicopters operating nationwide. The Gyeonggi Province doctor helicopter is the only one in the country that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Looking at last year's doctor helicopter operations, patient transports related to traffic accidents accounted for 51% of the cases, the highest proportion. This was followed by falls and slips at 28%, and collisions at 9%.

By region, Hwaseong City recorded the highest number with 120 cases, followed by Icheon City with 90 cases, and Pyeongtaek City with 79 cases. This is believed to be related to local conditions such as highway traffic volume, the concentration of industrial facilities, and construction sites.

A patient transported by doctor helicopter is being moved to the hospital emergency room. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

In March of this year, a 55-year-old woman in Icheon who suffered a splenic rupture and mesenteric artery injury due to a traffic accident was transported to Ajou University Hospital by a doctor helicopter that arrived at the scene 28 minutes after the accident. She received emergency surgery and her life was saved.

In June in Anseong, a 31-year-old man suspected of having a thoracic aortic injury received treatment after arriving at the hospital 54 minutes after the accident and is currently recovering.

The decision to dispatch the doctor helicopter is made jointly by the 119 General Situation Room and the Ajou University Hospital air medical team, who comprehensively assess weather conditions, accessibility, and the patient's condition. Once dispatched, the onboard medical staff immediately perform life-sustaining interventions such as oxygen supply, fluid infusion, and bleeding control.

Yoo Youngcheol, Director of Health and Wellness at Gyeonggi Province, stated, "The Gyeonggi Province doctor helicopter is an emergency transport system that protects lives 24 hours a day, and its value becomes even more apparent during the summer, when traffic and trauma accidents are frequent." He added, "We will continue to do our utmost to eliminate blind spots in emergency medical care and to secure the golden hour."

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province is expanding handover points, particularly in industrial facilities and high-risk areas, to improve the efficiency of doctor helicopter operations. A handover point is a pre-designated location where the doctor helicopter transfers or receives emergency patients to or from medical staff.

Recently, Gyeonggi Province designated new handover points at Pyeongtaek LG Electronics Digital Park, Icheon SK Hynix Semiconductor Complex, and the construction site of the Gimpo-Paju expressway.