Evaluation of repatriation parameters: an analysis of patient data of the German Air Rescue.

We investigated the medical history of 1468 patients of the German Air Rescue with regard to indications and rules that are used for the repatriation of sick or injured people by aircraft from abroad. Some 25.5% of the flights were domestic flights within Germany, 40.9% from the European continent, and 33.6% from outside Europe: North Africa, North America, the Middle and the Far East. Of the patients, 46% were non-surgical and 54% were surgical cases. The majority (90.3%) of international cases were flown home in ambulance airplanes (Learjet, Merlin); the remaining 9.7% were scheduled flights. The rate of false alert was 7-10%. According to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) classification, the majority of patients had moderate to serious illnesses. Some 33% of the patients were repatriated purely on medical grounds with an accompanying doctor. The indications of 66% of the patients were a mixture of medical and social components. Lists of points are available on the basis of catalogues of medical and social indications.