First NE China air rescue saves patient’s life

A 62-year-old patient who suffered a spinal fracture in a car accident was airlifted to Liaoning Provincial People’s Hospital on May 23. The air rescue marked the first time a patient has been successfully airlifted to hospital in the Northeast China region.

The patient arrived at Liaoning Provincial People’s Hospital at 12:35, following a journey of over 200 kilometers from the province’s Dandong city.

Wen Jiuquan, director of the orthopedics department, quickly assessed and operated on the patient shortly after the rescue helicopter had arrived.

Following surgery, the patient is now in a serious, but stable condition. 

A hospital doctor later made clear at a press conference the extent and seriousness of the patient’s injuries. 

The patient had a serious spinal fracture and could not have survived a long-distance journey by road, the doctor said.   

The director of the hospital acted fast when news of the accident came in, quickly arranging an air rescue company based in Shanghai to rush to the scene. 

Two doctors from the hospital also rushed to Dandong by helicopter to help treat and assess the patient.

Helicopters equipped for air rescue generally carry a breathing machine, defibrillator, aspirator and other medical equipment. This enables medics to treat patients at the scene and provide life support during transfer. 

With prompt rescue and fast treatment on arrival at the hospital, the patient was given the very best chance of survival. 

Liaoning Provincial People’s Hospital is the only hospital providing an air rescue service in the whole of the Northeast China region, according to Wang Gang, deputy of the hospital.

Emergency air rescue, which is both quick and reliable, is one of the most effective means of patient transfer and is widely used in developed countries. The service is still in its infancy in China, with only some big cities like Beijing and Shanghai offering the service.

A helicopter carrying a patient who suffered a spinal fracture in a car accident lands at Liaoning Provincial People’s Hospital on May 23. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

A 62-year-old patient who suffered a spinal fracture in a car accident arrives at Liaoning Provincial People’s Hospital to receive treatment. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Wen Jiuquan, director of the orthopedics department, assesses a 62-year-old patient who suffered a spinal fracture in a car accident on May 23. [Photo/Chinanews.com]