Bringing a fisherman with a stroke from Truong Sa to the mainland for treatment

SGGPO 06/30/2023 13:28

During treatment, the patient's progress was slow, his consciousness worsened, and he fell into a coma, so doctors at Truong Sa Medical Center suggested taking the patient to the mainland for treatment.

The patient was actively monitored throughout the flight.

At 2:45 a.m. on June 30, EC225 helicopter with registration number VN 8616, piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Do Hoang Hai, carrying the air ambulance team to Military Hospital 175 ( Ministry of National Defense ) and Major Diep Hong Khang, Deputy Head of the Intensive Care Department, as team leader, landed on the roof of the Orthopedic Trauma Institute. This flight was to bring fisherman HTB (50 years old, residing in Quang Ngai province) who had suffered a stroke from Truong Sa Town Medical Center (Khanh Hoa province) to the mainland for treatment.

About 10 days ago, the patient had a headache that gradually increased. On June 28, the patient showed signs of impaired consciousness, left hemiplegia, and by 8 p.m. the same day, the impaired consciousness became more severe, and he was admitted to An Bang Island Infirmary, with the indication to be transferred to the mainland.

During the treatment, the patient's condition worsened and he had to be transferred to Truong Sa Island Infirmary in a worsening condition, making it difficult to communicate. Through telemedicine consultation with Military Hospital 175 , the patient was diagnosed with: coma, hemorrhagic stroke, and hypertension. Doctors proposed active on-site treatment measures for the patient, ensuring vital signs, clearing the airway, and coordinating regular reporting to the hospital.

Seeing that the patient was making little progress, with signs of worsening consciousness and coma, doctors at Truong Sa Medical Center suggested taking the patient to the mainland for treatment.

Bringing a fisherman with a stroke from Truong Sa to the mainland for treatment photo 1

Transporting patients to helicopters and taking them to the mainland for treatment

Complying with the order of the Ministry of National Defense, at 7:45 p.m. on June 29, the 18th Army Corps quickly mobilized the EC 225 helicopter with registration number VN 8616 and the air ambulance team of Military Hospital 175 led by Major-Doctor Diep Hong Khang, departing from Tan Son Nhat airport.

At 2:45 a.m. on June 30, the flight landed safely on the roof of the Orthopedic Institute building, quickly taking the patient to the emergency center and receiving treatment.

According to Major-Doctor Diep Hong Khang, head of the transport team, when dealing with a patient in a state of severe loss of consciousness, Glasgow only has 7-8 points, the issue of controlling the patient's airway is very important, ensuring respiratory safety, as well as preventing cerebral edema during transport.

The patient was intubated at the Truong Sa Island Infirmary and put on a ventilator during the entire transport. In addition, when transporting the patient in an airborne environment, the emergency team must coordinate with the flight crew to ensure the flight ceiling and speed to minimize cerebral edema.

In addition, always pay attention to and control fluid transfusion, hemodynamics, ensure blood pressure, ensure cerebral perfusion pressure, reduce the risk of cerebral edema for patients.

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