PRESS RELEASE – NOVELTY 2021-12-18
Karolinska University Hospital will be the first in Sweden with a new type of healthcare helicopter that can provide the sickest patients with advanced care even in the air. The helicopter can pick up patients from all over the country to Karolinska.
The supplier Babcock and Karolinska have signed an agreement for the operation and delivery of an Agusta Westland 139 (AW 139) helicopter. As early as March 2022, Karolinska will have access to a temporary helicopter, in order to receive the delivery of the permanent helicopter after the turn of the year 2022–23.
– Karolinska will be the first in Sweden with this type of helicopter that is unique in its kind as the staff in it can provide the sickest patients with medical care on board in a way that has not been possible so far, such as ECMO care, says Lars Falk, operations manager Intensive care and Transport, and continues:
– With the new helicopter, we reach the hospitals faster, this because we do not have to reload as we do today when we fly by plane.
Another advantage of the AW 139, which is considerably larger, heavier and has significantly larger spaces than an ordinary ambulance helicopter, is that it is built to withstand very difficult weather conditions.
In addition, it has its own de-icing system which means that it can also withstand severe winter weather and storms. All in all, the helicopter basically works as a flying intensive care unit, says Lars Falk.
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