Saving Lives in the Cloud - The Evolution and Future of Aeromedical Emergency Services: "Some things are not a matter of wanting to do them or not; they are a necessity. Because it's a social responsibility!"

On March 27th, Assistant Professor Chang Pin-hsuan of our institute invited CEO Hsu Chen-yu of UIA Assistance to speak on the evolution and future prospects of aeromedical emergency services. As a member of UIA, an international assistance organization collaborating with multiple insurance companies in Taiwan, CEO Hsu shared numerous real-world case studies of air medical transfers and in-depth analyses of the complex issues surrounding critical resources such as time, money, and insurance in emergency medical rescue.

During the lecture, CEO Hsu provided a detailed breakdown of the various time costs involved in mission activation, flight time, and arrival at the destination hospital. This gave students a more concrete understanding of the critical importance of every second in international rescue operations. He highlighted that cross-border rescue is even more challenging and complex due to the differing rescue laws and regulations between countries. Furthermore, he provided a detailed explanation of the decision-making process for "when air transport is necessary" and explored the necessity and challenges of international aeromedical transfers. He also introduced the "Regulations for the Management of Air Ambulances" and international guidelines such as Aero-Medevac, and delved into research on the Emergency Medical Care Act and related regulations, showcasing UIA's professionalism and extensive experience in international medical rescue.
 

"Why can't there be other instruments on the helicopter?"

This reminded the author of a recent medical Korean drama plotline. The CEO shared that one cannot think solely from a "medical perspective," especially when it affects flight safety, which is strictly prohibited. Instruments can interfere with each other, and even minor noises can disrupt communication and transmission. Moreover, in critical moments, the flight crew must prioritize flight safety and may halt the flight mission, something he had previously argued with flight crews about.

Finally, he mentioned the concept and vision of the "Saving Lives in the Cloud: Preliminary Project for Establishing a Greater Southeast Asia Aeromedical Emergency Network in Taiwan," hoping to provide sufficient medical transfer resources even in remote areas.

#TMU #MedicalLaw #GuestLecture #AeromedicalTransfer #AirAmbulance