Causes and Outcomes of Patient Transfers by Air Ambulance to Sanandaj Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Akhbari, Kourosh; Azizkhani , Leila; Kamari , Keyvan

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Volume 34, Issue 2 (5-2026)

Journal of Ilam University of Medical Sciences 2026, 34(2): 91-100

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Causes and Outcomes of Patient Transfers by Air Ambulance to Sanandaj Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Kourosh Akhbari ^*¹

, Leila Azizkhani²

, Keyvan Kamari³

1- Dept of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran , akhbarikourosh@gmail.com
2- Dept of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
3- Dept of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran

Abstract: (513 Views)

Introduction: Air ambulances are a crucial component of prehospital emergency medical services, especially in difficult-to-reach areas, where they can facilitate rapid transport of critically ill patients to treatment centres. This study aimed to examine the causes and final outcomes of patient transfers by air ambulance to the hospitals in Sanandaj.
Materials & Methods: This descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study used a census sample of 102 patients transferred by air ambulance to Sanandaj hospitals in 2020. Data were extracted from patients’ medical records. Quantitative variables were described with means and standard deviations, and qualitative variables with frequencies and percentages. Data were analysed using chi-square tests and independent-sample t-tests with STATA version 14. A significance level of P < 0.05 was used.
Results: Of the 102 patients, 67 (65.7%) were male, and the mean age was 36 years. The most common cause of transfer was road traffic accidents (31.4%). The most frequent initial outcome after transfer was ICU admission (48.0%). Ultimately, 87 patients (85.3%) were discharged alive from the hospital. There was a statistically significant association between intubation and the need for resuscitation procedures and the final outcomes (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: These findings indicate that road traffic accidents were the leading cause of air-ambulance transfers to Sanandaj, and a substantial proportion of patients required intensive care after transfer. Some in-transit interventions were significantly associated with final outcomes. The results underscore the importance of the targeted use of air ambulances in crisis situations and the need for proper planning to improve the quality of these services.

Keywords: Air ambulance, Patient Transfer, Treatment Outcomes, Emergency Medicine, Trauma

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Editorial Note: Applicable | Subject: Nuesing Education - Education Administration
Received: 2026/02/3 | Accepted: 2026/02/25 | Published: 2026/05/26

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Akhbari K, Azizkhani L, Kamari K. Causes and Outcomes of Patient Transfers by Air Ambulance to Sanandaj Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study. J. Ilam Uni. Med. Sci. 2026; 34 (2) :91-100
URL: http://sjimu.medilam.ac.ir/article-1-8897-en.html

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