Adapted to the specific requirements of air rescue, it can receive patient- and mission-specific data and transfer it to clinics for further treatment.
With special tablet PCs on which NIDA software is installed, air rescuers can now document all medical information on the go at any time and then comprehensively evaluate it.
By analyzing the data in detail, new insights can be gained in order to further optimise air rescue.
‘Together with the manufacturer medDV GmbH and the IT experts at oh22systems GmbH, we have invested a great deal of expertise in the NIDA software to develop an exclusively digital solution for transmitting mission data as well as capturing and transmitting medical data, which is fully adapted to the complex emergency and intensive care needs of air rescue,’ says Bernd Zimmer, project manager for the NIDA roll-out.
Since the beginning of August, the new system has enabled air rescuers to receive mission details directly from the control centres on a tablet PC via Rescuetrack.
This so-called NIDApad allows them to digitally record all patient data, diagnoses and emergency and intensive care measures at any time and anywhere. In addition, the medical data from the patient monitor is automatically transferred. The values can then subsequently be transferred to a digital clinic network (NIDAklinik) and onward to the hospitals providing further treatment before the patient arrives, thus enabling even better preparation of patient admission.
Secure and faster documentation
The new solution consequently simplifies the documentation of operations and the transfer of data to the clinic or other relevant bodies.
This is because crews no longer need to fill out mission protocols on paper and transmit them again later on to their PC. Instead, all protocols are now available directly to the patient and all involved crew members digitally and as hard copies when needed.
‘This results in significant process and time advantages that also benefit our patients,’ explains Zimmer. In addition, the newly gained evaluation options allow missions to be analysed even more comprehensively and compared with each other, medical care to be further optimised in future and organisation-wide decisions to be made on this basis.
‘Thanks to its special extension to include certain types of use, such as hoist missions, therapy procedures and medical devices specifically used at DRF Luftrettung, the software has proven to be unique thus far,’ says Zimmer. These advanced developments include, for example, the documentation of cardiopulmonary support procedures (e.g. ECMO procedures), the use of mobile sonography devices or blood transfusions at mission locations. In addition, the hardware has been adapted to make it ideal for use in air rescue. For example, they are now compatible with night vision goggles used in the dark. ‘Our aim is to always offer people in need the fastest and highest-quality medical care that is currently possible. That’s why we’re continuously developing air rescue and setting new standards – including in the area of digital documentation.’
About DRF Luftrettung: DRF Luftrettung based in Filderstadt is one of the largest and most experienced air rescue organisations in Europe, At its 29 bases in Germany, DRF Luftrettung operates helicopters for emergency rescue and for urgent transport of intensive care patients between hospitals. Crews are on standby around the clock at eleven of these bases and four bases have helicopters equipped with rescue hoists for missions in difficult terrain. In addition, DRF Luftrettung repatriates patients from abroad using its own ambulance aircraft. DRF Luftrettung carried out a total of 38,076 in 2021.
The Austrian organisation ARA Flugrettung, with two standard bases and one winter base, has been part of the DRF Luftrettung since 2001. In addition, the NHC Northern Helicopter, which performs air and water rescue from three bases, has joined the group in 2019. DRF Luftrettung is also involved in Alpine Air Ambulance in Switzerland, which operates two bases.
The charitable air ambulance organisation is reliant on financial support in order to continue taking its life-saving mission from strength to strength. DRF e.V. can already count on the generosity of well over 400,000 members.
See also |
DRF Luftrettung German air rescue 
Air Medical Ambulance Services 
Helicopters Software 
