Polish Medical Air Rescue Interventions Concerning Pregnant Women in Poland: A 10-year Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND: Even in the normal course of pregnancy, alarming symptoms and obstetric complications can occur, necessitating appropriate care. Medical rescue and Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) teams are responsible for responding to emergencies and performing medical emergency procedures on scene and during patient transport to hospital. The purpose of our study was to present the characteristics of HEMS and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) interventions concerning pregnant women in Poland. MATERIAL/METHODS: The study involved a retrospective analysis of missions by HEMS and EMS crews of the Polish Medical Air Rescue concerning pregnant women in Poland. The analysis included all HEMS and EMS flights to cases of accidents and other emergencies and air transport missions where medical assistance had been provided to pregnant women between January 2011 and December 2020. RESULTS: Polish Medical Air Rescue teams were most commonly dispatched to urban areas (79.46%) and for inter-hospital transport (75.85%). The mean patient age was 29.72 years, and the most common diagnosis, in accordance with the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), was premature labor (24.38%). CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant patients aged 30 and older and those receiving HEMS and EMS assistance in urban areas were found to have a higher odds ratio for premature labor. A correlation was identified between the diagnosis associated with the Polish Medical Air Rescue intervention and the pregnant woman’s age and location of call.