Case Study: Sea-Level Repatriation From Thailand to Texas

In the morning of a Sunday in early January, Redstar Aviation was confronted with a critical sea-level evacuation request from Phuket, Thailand, to Houston, Texas, USA. Given the complex nature of the case, the client wanted to assure that Redstar Aviation’s highly skilled team worked the case and planned the mission.

The urgency of the mission centered around a young female patient who had suffered severe injuries in a motorcycle accident in Thailand, leading to multiple fractures of the skull and facial bones, including a Le-Fort Fracture, nasal fracture, and bilateral zygomatical fractures.

The diagnostic evaluation painted a complex picture of the patient’s condition. Le-Fort fractures, a category of midface injuries, ranged from a ‘simple’ fracture line to a complete osseous craniofacial disjunction, with the potential to cause swelling in the soft tissue and compromise the oro- and nasopharyngeal airways. Despite the severity of the injuries, there were no intracranial complications, and the patient exhibited no respiratory distress, with all other vital signs within normal limits.

Given the intricacies of the injuries and the complexities evolving around the same, Redstar Aviation had to meticulously plan the entire flight, emphasizing a lowered flight altitude to maintain a cabin pressure conducive to the patient’s condition, thus minimizing the risk of exacerbating swelling in the injured structures.

The mission officially commenced on the 18th of January, as Redstar Aviation coordinated the pickup of the patient directly from the hospital in Phuket. Accompanied by the highly skilled medical team, the patient embarked on a journey that extended over 30 hours in total flight time.

Throughout the extended flight, the patient’s general condition remained stable, a testament to the expertise of the medical team and the comprehensive planning undertaken by Redstar Aviation. Recognizing the challenges inherent in such a prolonged mission, the organization implemented a strategic approach. The flight crew and medical team underwent systematic rotations, strategically repositioning at different locations along the route. After two legs and approximately 14 hours of continuous flight time, the initial medical crew was seamlessly replaced to ensure ongoing optimal care for the patient, mitigating the risks associated with fatigue and exhaustion.

The second phase of the mission saw the aircraft, with the call sign TC-RSF, departing from Redstar Aviation’s home base, Atatürk Airport (LTBA), and continuing with four additional legs, resulting in a flight time of approximately 17 hours. The meticulous planning and execution of the crew rotations, combined with the organization’s commitment to optimal patient care, culminated in the aircraft’s safe landing at Houston on the evening of the same day.

Following the intricate journey, Redstar Aviation’s Medical Team accompanied the patient to the receiving hospital in Houston, ensuring a seamless handover and wished the patient a speedy recovery. This successful completion of such a complex and time-sensitive sea-level evacuation stands as a testament to Redstar Aviation’s dedication, technical proficiency, and strategic planning capabilities in handling even the most challenging aero-medical transport missions. Redstar truly remains a company like on other.

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