Minister of Health and Social Services, Gaétan Barrette, today announced that a helicopter medical transportation pilot project between some of the network’s facilities will be put in place for a period of 18 months. The announcement was attended by the Executive Vice President of Airmedic Inc., Ms.Sophie Larochelle .

The Sacré-Cœur Hospital of the Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal Integrated University Health and Social Services Center will be able to receive patients from six facilities in three designated institutions, the Integrated University Health Center and Social Services Center of Mauricie and Center-du-Québec (Haut-Saint-Maurice Health and Social Services Center and Center-de-la-Mauricie Hospital), Integrated Health and Social Services Center de Lanaudière (Lanaudière Regional Hospital Center) and the Laurentian Integrated Health and Social Services Center ( Mont-Laurier Hospital , Rivière-Rouge Service Center and Laurentien Hospital).

The CHU de Québec – Université Laval is also a partner in the project, since it will be in charge of the medical regulation of requests, provide medical personnel and ensure clinical quality assurance, through its Aeromedical Evacuations Quebec (EVAQ) service.

From the financial point of view, it is estimated that the annual budget required for the project is $ 3 million, which includes direct and indirect costs, as well as the evaluation of the project.

Quotes:

“With this project, we want to evaluate the possibility of introducing a helicopter aeromedical transport service within our network. Before proceeding with the deployment of such a service, we want to ensure its relevance and efficiency in the Quebec context, by evaluating the costs generated by each transport, with respect to the results and its clinical effectiveness. We are very pleased with the collaboration we have had with Airmedic inc. which allowed this project to see the light of day. ”

Gaétan Barrette, Minister of Health and Social Services

“It is with great enthusiasm that we begin this partnership, which will unfold alongside our day-to-day operations for our members. We receive this announcement as a mark of confidence and recognition of the know-how in air medical transport that we have developed and which is our reputation. In an emergency, every minute counts. That is why it is crucial to be supported by the most appropriate specialized hospital center in the shortest possible time. ”

Sophie Larochelle , Executive Vice President of Airmedic Inc.

Highlights:

Helicopter medical transportation consists of ensuring rapid and safe transportation for patients who urgently require specialized care, from a referral center facility to the installation of a receiving center.

For the duration of the project, Airmedic inc. ensure the establishment of authorized landing areas at each of the targeted facilities within these facilities.

An evaluation process is planned. This includes a qualitative approach and a quantitative approach. The latter will measure the clinical effects on patients and specify the pathologies that would benefit the most from this service.

It is estimated that currently, approximately 175 patients per year will be transferred through this service as part of the pilot project for the affected facilities.