Inaer Spain recently participated in the Airmed World Congress, a leading air medical transport conference that takes place every three years and was held in Rome. The operator was the only Spanish company invited to take part in the science programme at the event, the slogan of which was 'share, improve, innovate'.

The conference brings together global experts to exchange ideas and shape the future of emergency services.

Inaer's air ambulances fly between intensive care units and are equipped with the technology to stabilise patients in flight. Along with the flight crew, medical staff play a crucial role in providing immediate care to the patient and stabilising them at the scene, as well as assisting them during transfer and consulting with doctors upon arrival.

In 2013, Inaer's 27 medical helicopters carried out more than 8,950 emergency health missions throughout Spain, 767 of which were for accidents.

“It is vital that our medical professionals are continuously trained and participate in forums where the scientific future of emergency services are discussed,” explains Jose Manuel Gutierrez, Inaer's medical director. “We were invited to participate at the Airmed congress as experts in healthcare thanks to our extensive experience and specialism in emergency missions.”

The company made two spoken presentations, explaining the advantages of using non-invasive mechanical ventilation for patients transferred via helicopter. A study by its medical staff has shown that the technique increases patient safety and make for fewer complications, reduces intervention times and improves operations in flight. Oxygen consumption is also reduced.

A second presentation focused on exposing the different operating models in HEMS services and how they can improve safety cultures if high quality is ensured.

Finally, it presented a study about the pressure on a patient's trachea during helicopter transfers because of altitude pressure changes. The study concluded that, in order to minimise pressure on the trachea, constant vigilance and communication is required, and ascents and descents of greater than 500 feet per minute are best avoided.