DRF (German Air Rescue) and DRK (German Red Cross) have joined forces to coordinate air and ground ambulance services for intensive care patients. The aim of the one-year trial is to provide an improved intensive care transport system in and around Stuttgart, Germany.

“Ground rescue and air rescue have been working perfectly well together. Now we aim to extend this cooperation,” said Dr Jörg Braun, DRF medical director. “Considering the continuing specialisation of hospitals, an adequate intensive care transporting system is becoming more and more important.”

Before the implementation of this scheme, ground transportation of intensive care patients was performed by conventional ambulances. The joint service provided by DRF and DRK means that the air ambulance will be supported by an intensive care ambulance for ground transportation and hospital transfers. “A benefit of the new system is that both the helicopter and the new ambulance are now centrally coordinated by experienced dispatchers at the DRF alert centre in Stuttgart/Filderstadt. They com-petently choose the appropriate transport system according to the patient‘s needs, priorities, and economical aspects. If required, they can consult intensive care physicians. Hospitals and doctors can reach the dispatchers 24 hours a day.”

The organisations expect to perform between 400-500 missions per year. After six and 12 months respectively, the organisations will present the initial results of their pilot project together.