A Battle Against Time for a Patient in the Last Stage

Patient Overview:

A critically ill patient in the last stages of multiple organ damage, including severe liver damage, required an urgent transfer from Guwahati Medical College Hospital (GMCH) Emergency to the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG). The patient’s daughter, desperate to save her father’s life, initiated the call for a high-priority medical evacuation in early December.

Craft Activation and Initial Complications:

Upon receiving the request, our team immediately activated the air ambulance craft. A road ambulance was dispatched to GMCH for patient pickup. However, the patient’s condition deteriorated rapidly en route to the craft; he was hemodynamically unstable, exhibiting signs of multi-organ dysfunction, making air transfer too risky at that moment.

Critical Decision and Ground Coordination: 

In a swift and critical decision, our team in coordination with the craft’s onboard doctor, redirected the patient to the nearest hospital, Apollo Excelcare, in Guwahati. The patient was immediately admitted to the hospital’s ICU, where he was stabilized through aggressive resuscitation measures, including IV fluids, vasopressors, and continuous monitoring of vital parameters.

On-Ground Stabilization and Immediate Medical Response:

The craft doctor, coordinating with the on-ground ICU team, meticulously monitored the patient’s response to treatment. Advanced interventions, such as electrolyte management, renal function stabilization, and hepatic support, were deployed. A decision was made to closely observe the patient until there was a sufficient window of stability to proceed with the airlift.

Airlift to AIG: The Final Leg of the Journey:

After several hours of intense monitoring and stabilization at Apollo Excelcare, the patient showed signs of relative stability, though still in critical condition. The craft doctor, after re-evaluating the patient’s condition with the Apollo ICU team, decided to proceed with the airlift to AIG. The patient was carefully transferred back to the air ambulance, with all necessary precautions, including high-flow oxygen support and cardiac monitoring, in place.

Conclusion

This case exemplifies the challenges of transferring a patient in the last stages of multiple organ damage, requiring split-second decisions and seamless coordination between ground and air medical teams. Despite the dire prognosis, the timely actions and expertise of the medical team provided the patient with the best possible chance to reach advanced care at AIG.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What made this medical transfer from Guwahati so urgent?

The patient was suffering from multi-organ failure, including severe liver damage, and required immediate transfer to the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG) for advanced care. Time was critical due to the rapid deterioration of his condition.

2. Why was the initial air transfer delayed?

During transit to the air ambulance, the patient became hemodynamically unstable, making it unsafe to proceed with air travel. The medical team made a quick decision to redirect him to a local hospital ICU for emergency stabilization.

3. How did RED manage the patient’s stabilization before airlifting?

At Apollo Excelcare Hospital in Guwahati, RED’s medical team coordinated advanced ICU care, including fluid resuscitation, vasopressor support, electrolyte correction, and organ support, ensuring the patient was stable enough for air transfer.

4. What protocols are followed when a patient deteriorates before air evacuation?

If a patient shows signs of critical instability, RED prioritizes safety by halting the transfer, redirecting to the nearest ICU, and initiating emergency stabilization. Air evacuation is only resumed once a safe window is identified by the attending medical team.

5. What kind of medical equipment and staff are onboard RED’s air ambulances?

RED air ambulances are equipped with ICU-grade monitors, oxygen therapy systems, cardiac support tools, and ventilators. A trained doctor and EMT accompany every flight, offering critical care in real-time.