Impact of icing weather conditions on the patients in helicopter emergency medical service: a prospective study from Northern Finland

摘要

BackgroundA high number of denied or cancelled HEMS missions are caused by poor weather conditions especially during winter season. Furthermore, many helicopter manufacturers have denied their helicopters to be operated in known icing conditions. Icing is a widely known phenomenon in aviation, but there is a lack of evidence about its influence on HEMS operations and patients.