Durgapur to Delhi (SGRH): Air Ambulance Transfer of a Critically Ill Patient on 90% FiO

Life Savers recently transported a 42-year-old female from Durgapur to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH), Delhi, battling severe ARDS, pneumonia, obesity, generalized anasarca, and constant hypoglycemia. Despite being on 90% FiO■ and continuous infusions of atracurium and fentanyl, she required an urgent air ambulance transfer for advanced care.

Patient Overview

- Age: 42 years

- Condition: Severe ARDS & Pneumonia

- Ventilation: On mechanical ventilator with 90% FiO■

- Infusions: Atracurium + Fentanyl

- Complications: Obesity, Generalized Anasarca, Constant Hypoglycemia

- Transfer Route: Durgapur → Delhi (SGRH)

Challenges

- Extremely high oxygen requirement (90% FiO■)

- Poor lung compliance due to ARDS

- Respiratory resistance from pneumonia

- Obesity complicating handling & ventilation

- Generalized swelling affecting hemodynamics

- Frequent hypoglycemia requiring continuous correction

- Need to maintain paralytics & analgesics during flight

- High risk of desaturation during any movement

Life Savers’ Approach

1. ICU-Equipped Air Ambulance

- Advanced ICU ventilator suited for ARDS settings

- High-capacity oxygen reserves

- Multi-parameter monitoring system

- Infusion pumps for atracurium, fentanyl, and glucose correction

- Emergency airway and resuscitation equipment

2. Expert Critical Care Team

A dedicated team accompanied the patient:- Critical Care Specialist Doctor

- ICU Nurse

- Paramedic

They monitored:

- Oxygenation & ventilation

- Blood pressure & glucose levels

- Paralytic and analgesic infusions

- Airway pressure & lung compliance

3. Seamless Coordination

Life Savers arranged:

- Rapid hospital handover in Durgapur

- Priority airport processing

- Stabilization inside the aircraft

- Real-time coordination with SGRH Delhi

- Quick ICU handover upon landing

Outcome

The patient remained stable throughout the journey. Our team:

- Prevented desaturation episodes

- Corrected hypoglycemia

- Maintained ventilator-paralytic synchrony

- Managed airway pressures throughout the flight

Why Life Savers?

- In-house critical care team

- ICU-level air ambulance services

- Expertise in ARDS, high-FiO■, and ventilated patient transport

- Reliable nationwide & international critical care transfers