home > latest news : Vaasa, Finland. A medical evacuation on the Baltic coast
Vaasa, Finland. A medical evacuation on the Baltic coast
Vaasa, west coast of Finland.
March 2010. Tuesday. 11am. Niort.
IMA receives the call from the brother of Mr Germain T.
Over the phone, the assistance technician carefully notes down the first elements of the case relating to this 36 year old man, victim of a road traffic accident, and then informs IMA’s regulatory doctor.
The diagnosis given by the physicians at Centralsjukhus Vaasa (hospital) is clear: Complex fracture of the leg, broken ribs and head trauma. Hospitalised 3500 km away from his home in a country where he does not speak the language and suffering from serious injuries, the patient feels isolated.
Very quickly, the assistance technician contacts the Finnish hospital and gets through to Mr. T in his room.
Tuesday. Afternoon and evening. Niort. Medical regulation.
IMA’s doctors make increased contact with the hospital in Vaasa. The assistance technicians are in regular contact with the patient's wife. After a thorough evaluation of the medical situation, IMA’s doctors come to a decision: medical evacuation by private plane! However, Mr. T’s medical condition, access to the northern zone and uncertain weather conditions all pose serious constraints… IMA’s in-house bureau for medical evacuations organises the repatriation.
Wednesday. 6 am. Montreuil (93), IMA’s medical logistics base.
In this secured area, the doctor and nurse in charge of IMA’s mission make a final inventory and check the medical equipment to be loaded (100 kg). Each medical evacuation requires equipment adapted to the medical condition of the patient and the conditions of transportation.
Wednesday. 7am. Paris / Le Bourget.
On the tarmac, the medical team takes a last look at the repatriation schedule. The flight plan, Le Bourget / Vaasa Airport is confirmed.
In Finland, Dr. Jarvinen collates the examinations and radiographs for the patient’s medical record. In France, Mr. T's wife is given regular updates.
Wednesday. 13:00. Vaasa (local time).
The aircraft comes to a halt within a few metres of the modest control tower. The pilots know that the difficult weather conditions won’t allow a return flight today.
The medical team must get to the hospital, talk to the patient, prepare his transportation, meet with Dr Jarvinen to get a detailed update on the patient’s clinical condition...
IMA confirms to Vaasa Centralsjukhus that it will take charge of the medical expenses in full.
Thursday. 12:30. Airport Metz - Nancy - Lorraine.
Four and a half hours after taking off from Vaasa, the "King 200" cuts its engines. An ambulance advances along its route... 45 minutes later; it stops at the entrance to the Central Hospital of Nancy – the city that is home to Mr. T.
IMA’s medical team hands over all the case elements to the surgeon, as well as the patient's personal luggage.
On the second floor, the patient’s private room awaits…
Whatever the destination, the season, the illness, the trauma, the logistical or even sometimes political implications, IMA handles each and every assignment with the same rigour and service-oriented approach. With over 20,000 sanitary evacuations per year, the IMA Group remains the unsurpassed leader in this field, substantiating more than ever its motto:
"For your assistance, only one border… planet Earth".
