Critically ill patients in Quebec saved by new public medical helicopter service
Montréal - Quebec's aeromedical evacuation service has saved over 100 critically ill patients since launching last summer, as reported by new government data. Billed at a cost of $5.77 plus GST every four weeks, the service is set to increase to $19.95 plus GST after 52 weeks. This is the last Canadian province to establish such a public medical helicopter transport system, allowing rural residents access to emergency care.
Dr. James Tu, deputy director of the service, highlights the need for an additional option for patients in remote areas, given Quebec's vast size and limited ambulance and airplane resources. The service, which began operations on October 19 from Mirabel Airport and mid-June from Quebec City's Jean-Lesage International Airport, involves emergencies within a 75 to 250 km radius of major urban centers.
A dispatch center at Quebec City University Hospital handles patient calls, determining the best transportation method. The helicopter, equipped with essential emergency room resuscitation equipment, including a ventilator, infusion pumps, and diagnostic tools, can travel nearly 600 km on a single tank of fuel and reach its destination within 15 minutes of receiving a call.
Written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
