Improving SAR Coordination and Response in the Antartic

Improving SAR Coordination and Response in the Antartic

Background. Participation: MRCC USHUAIA in a possible SAR Case in Antarctica. Immediate Response SAR. Evacuation plan. Evacuation protocol. Command, control, communications and information. Ushuaia Naval Hospital, capabilities in a SAR case in Antarctica. Responsibilities and functions of the Health Workforce. Administration and logistics. Conclusion.

1904: Corbette Uruguay rescues the "Antartic" (Swedish Antarctic scientific expedition commanded by Otto Nordenskjöld).

2002: SAR Case Magdalena Oldendorff

2007: SAR Case Polar Ship Explorer

2013: SAR Case KAI XIN

The Argentine Navy through its capabilities in the Naval Austral Area and in particular with the USHUAIA NAVAL HOSPITAL, act under the SAR support established by IMO within the following two variants: As primary hospital unit at the arrival of evacuees from low to medium complexity. As a secondary hospital unit or support of the Ushuaia Regional Hospital at the arrival of evacuated with highly complex diagnosis, always maintaining an active and direct coordination with the hospital thru the Head Coordinator of the Ushuaia SAR Center.

The Naval Hospital runs attendance and evaluation of the castaways arriving at AUGUSTO LASSERRE spring, the commercial dock and the International Airport USHUAIA, by running classification of the wounded (TRIAGE) in these entry points, moving with own ambulance from the hospitals or other means by the use of their hospital infrastructure, its facilities, with medical equipment and health support and its medical personnel to preserve life and health of the patients.

The key in health care is achieved through a balance between the medical capacity of each level and the ability to evacuate among them available at the Ushuaia Naval Hospital and Regional Hospital of the City of Ushuaia. The Ushuaia Coordinator Center will plan and coordinate the medical evacuation plan SAR scenario and it will be dependent on the number of evacuees and evacuation resources allocated to the operation.

The Protocol includes a medical professional for classifying injuries (TRIAGE) in the point of entry to the country of the wounded. In case of need of transfer to the Naval Hospital of personnel with mild or moderate wounds, the entering to the Naval Hospital will remain restricted only to those involved in the care of victims. Patient with (red) gravity will be transferred from the point of entry to the country of the wounded to the Guard of Emergency of the Ushuaia Regional Hospital. The patient registry information will be entering into record with the data of the entrant, its room in the hospital or within buildings of the contingency plan and its eventual referral to another health center if is necessary.

Internal Hospital Emergency Committee, consists of the following personnel: Deputy Head Operational. Head of Healthcare Department. Master Chief Petty Officer - Unit Manager. The Ushuaia Coordinator Center integrated medical organization C3I as a fundamental part of their capacity for medical support.

Deputy Head Operational. It is responsible for conducting the General Support Element of the evacuees that arrive in the city of Ushuaia. Deputy Medical Assistance. It is responsible for conducting the Emergency Assistance Elements and Health Support Element. It will advise to the Head of the Naval Hospital as it pertains to health care, tranfer and medical issues.

Emergency Assistance Element Highlights the Advanced Medical Equipment for carrying out TRIAGE as the point of arrival / castaways. It will sort the wounded arriving at the Hospital Entrance Hall (Classification Center). It will prepare at request, the operating room for surgical practices that determine the TRIAGE center. Health Support Element It will support at request with the element emergency assistance facilities radiology, dentistry, pharmacy, laboratory, hospital and hyperbaric chamber.

The Ushuaia Naval Hospital has the following resources and infrastructure, which are important in attendance during a SAR case:

Shock room for care of a patient at a time. General surgery, operating theater and Dentistry operating theater. A conventional radiology equipment. Biochemical laboratory. Hyperbaric chamber. Seven-bed for adult patients. Areas that can be adapted quickly as hospital room to more patients, increasing its capacity 20 more places. Unidirectional access and possibility of subsequent departure of patients for referral and redistribution. 13 outpatient clinics for care and / or stay of patients that not requiring more complex assistance. Nearby buildings to the Hospital for multiple purposes. Communication system. An ambulance equipped, ready for a patient transport.

Catering The provision of food and water will be done through the kitchen of the Naval Hospital and in coordination with Ushuaia Coordination Center to provide if its necessary, more personal or extra services like food or water. Food rations shall be provided to the personnel of the Naval Hospital. Maintenance The Bioengineering Division will be in charge for maintenance of the medical equipment that could be out of service for any reason during the execution of the evacuation or attention.

Infrastructure The facilities will be adapted if need for the operation of the alternative sector internment of minor injuries. Transport A system of replacement for an ambulance drivers and general transport vehicle shall be provided. It will coordinate if necessary the general support of the available means of the Ushuaia Coordination Center.

Anthropologist 64 years old BACKGROUND OF COLLABORATION AND REGIONAL COORDINATION 14 / AGO / 2014 ANTROPOLOGO DE 64 AÑOS Chilean Navy evacuates a patient from the hospital in Puerto Williams to Ushuaia An Argentine anthropologist 64, residing in this city, admitted urgently to the Naval Hospital of Puerto Williams, where he was diagnosed with an acute infarction cardiac arrest. Because of the need for treatment in a health center more complex, the ringside doctor decided to evacuate to the Regional Hospital of Ushuaia, having the Boat of General Service (LSG) "Alacalufe" of the Beagle Naval District, at eleven hours the task of moving the affected to that city, accompanied by the doctor and a nurse from the Naval Hospital. The LSG arrived on Sunday to the commercial port of Ushuaia, where the patient was transferred by ambulance to the hospital in the company of naval servers. http://www.tdfaldia.com.ar/2014/08/14/armada-de-chile-evacuo-a-un-paciente-desde-puertowilliams-al-hospital-de-ushuaia/

Recently a multi organ ablation procedure was performed entirely by professionals in the hospital. The organs were destined to two patients in Rio Grande. Professionals in the public health system performed the first operation of organ ablation. The Ministry of Health reported that on Friday conducted a multi organ procedure performed entirely by professionals of the Ushuaia Regional Hospital. http://www.surenio.com.ar/se-realizo-primer-operativo-ablacionorganos-del-ano/

ehealth Information Technologies and Telecommunications (ICT) applied in health care in the field of Antarctic represent an advantage for diagnostics a patient onboard vessels operating within the framework of the COMNAP. During the 2015/2016 Antarctic Campaign the Argentine Republic - Ministry of Defense - National Antarctic Directorate, incorporated in the Orcadas an Exo Base Station for Tele-diagnosis It can meet requirements of the unit in treating medical emergency and first aid in isolated or remote sites

The Argentine Republic by the National SAR Authority in control of the capacity of the City of Ushuaia and the C3I of the Center Coordinator Ushuaia with the Naval Hospital associated, is in adequate operating condition with medical standard to establish and coordinate the evacuation and care for a SAR incidents occurring in the field its of responsibility in the Antarctic SAR area.