Ten Years of En Route Critical Care Training.

OBJECTIVE

The French Military Health Service (FMHS) has developed a training program for medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) of critical care patients on fixed wing aircraft.

METHODS

We conducted a 10-year retrospective analysis (2006-2015) of the data from the FMHS Academy. The number of trainees was listed according to the different courses and medical specialties. The number of MEDEVACs recorded during the period was described.

RESULTS

Since 2006, the FMHS has developed training courses designed for MEDEVAC of critical care patients. Forty-five collective strategic MEDEVAC courses were delivered to 91 intensivists, 130 anesthetic nurses, 79 flight surgeons, 55 flight nurses, and 89 nurses. Five sessions of tactical MEDEVAC courses were performed for 14 flight surgeons, 6 flight nurses, and 17 other nurses. Ten sessions of individual strategic MEDEVAC courses were delivered to 17 intensivists, 10 flight surgeons, 21 flight nurses, and 7 other nurses. Between 2006 and 2015, 818 (± 68) individual strategic MEDEVACs were performed per year. Thirty-three (± 19) concerned critical care patients. Five missions of collective strategic MEDEVAC were performed for 56 patients.

CONCLUSION

The FMHS has developed specific courses for the MEDEVAC of critical care patients, allowing the training of numerous MEDEVAC teams.