RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Trans-Atlantic aeromedical repatriation of multiple COVID-19 patients: a hybrid military–civilian model
JF BMJ Military Health
JO BMJ Mil Health
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP bmjmilitary-2020-001565
DO 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2020-001565
A1 Andrew Benjamin Dagens
A1 J Mckinnon
A1 R Simpson
A1 C Calvert
A1 T Keast
A1 N Hart
A1 M Almond
YR 2020
UL http://militaryhealth.bmj.com/content/early/2020/12/23/bmjmilitary-2020-001565.abstract
AB Here, we report the first known transcontinental aeromedical evacuation of a large number (55) of patients with known and suspected positive COVID-19. These patients were evacuated from Havana, Cuba, to the UK through MOD Boscombe Down as part of Operation BROADSHARE, the British military’s overseas response to COVID-19. We describe the safe transfer of patients with COVID-19 using a combined military–civilian model. In our view, we have demonstrated that patients with COVID-19 can be aeromedically transferred while ensuring the safety of patients and crew using a hybrid military–civilian model; this report contains lessons for future aeromedical evacuation of patients with COVID-19.