Der Unfallchirurg
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Review
[Use of drones for the rescue service and transport of medicaments : Possibilities and risks].
The market for drones has been growing for years and the prognosis for the future assumes a further increase in growth. Currently, drones deliver retail goods, foodstuffs, industrial and medicinal goods. Furthermore, drones can relieve rescue services and first responders in difficult situations, such as the assessment of the situation at scenes of accidents. ⋯ This article presents research projects and specific cases of application, which range from the needs-based supply of regional hospitals with medicaments using drones, the delivery of blood conserves in rural areas of South Africa by drones and many scenarios in the rescue service. The next developmental steps affect the scalability and automation of drone-supported missions; however, technical progress alone is insufficient; the legal and regulatory frameworks must be set for certain drone scenarios. In order to safely and efficiently administrate the European airspace and to achieve further possible applications for drones, the U‑Space concept of the European Union represents a possible essential prerequisite.
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Trauma surgery has always been driven forward by innovative technological advancements. The recent appearance of "advanced air mobility" (AAM) represents one of the next steps in these technological developments. These innovative flying systems have major implications for all of the various healthcare stages in trauma surgery: Unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, can deliver critical supplies on demand, just in time, without physical contact, within the "last mile delivery" concept, such as AEDs, critical medication, blood for transfusion etc. ⋯ These eVTOLs are not only new aircraft but, thanks to the autonomous flying options, they are flying computers with novel technological opportunities on board. With these new, flying operation systems, the whole rescue chain will be completely revolutionized by much faster response intervals, patient transportation times, telemedical applications, optimized emergency medical services, laboratory transportation etc. Hence, this article aims to provide a tentative overview of these new exciting technological developments in the field of trauma surgery for the benefit of our patients.
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Do drones have the potential to become established as a new member of the rescue chain? This article attempts to provide answers to this important question. In addition to a brief historical review, the many possible applications are described. ⋯ This shows how far developments have come today and which applications are conceivable in the near future. The associated challenges, such as compliance with legal requirements or training, are also addressed.
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The Bavarian Mountain Rescue Service has always shown a great interest in innovations, chances and possibilities. Against this background, in 2012 the construction of a new structure was initiated, the localization, communication and situation report team (LKLD: Lokalisation, Kommunikation und Lagedarstellung), which uses modern techniques, such as the GPS, mobile internet, thermal imaging, residual light amplification and drones. ⋯ Motivated by these successes and by the political appreciation of their voluntary work, dedicated work is being carried out on further innovations. Under consideration are automated flights far beyond the range of visibility, transport of materials and drones which can carry passengers.
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The number of primary arthroplasties is increasing and the proportion of revision arthroplasties is becoming increasingly more important. The need for standardized and guideline-based diagnostics for the safe detection of a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is becoming apparent. In the past 10 years various organizations have published definitions and diagnostic guidelines. The implementation of an inhouse standard test kit could help to simplify the process and could improve the diagnostic quality. ⋯ In a prospective study it was shown, that the implementation of the standardized test kit lead to a guideline based PJI diagnostic in all cases and thus to a significantly increase of the diagnostic quality. There is currently no single test that reliably excludes or proves an infection. The alpha-defensin laboratory ELISA test showed the best test accuracy, whereby the consideration of test combinations is obligatory and at the same time safe.