Evaluating the Introduction of Humidified High-Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy Into an Australian Aeromedical Service Within a Paediatric Population: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Humidified high flow (HHF) oxygen is increasingly used to treat acute respiratory illnesses in children; however, use during aeromedical transfer is not well described. This was a retrospective cohort study. Children who were transferred from rural locations and were initiated on HHF prior to transfer between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2018 were identified from the Royal Flying Doctors Service database. Clinical variables prior to transfer, during flight and after transfer were collected from medical records and flight records.

Citation:
Yap C, Withers A, Ghedina N, O'Connell E. Evaluating the Introduction of Humidified High-Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy Into an Australian Aeromedical Service Within a Paediatric Population: A Retrospective Cohort Study. EMA Emerg Med Australas. 2025;37(4).

Keywords:
Air ambulance; statistics; numerical data; cannula; standards; cohort studies; oxygen inhalation therapy; instrumentation; pediatrics

Abstract:
Humidified high flow (HHF) oxygen is increasingly used to treat acute respiratory illnesses in children; however, use during aeromedical transfer is not well described. This was a retrospective cohort study. Children who were transferred from rural locations and were initiated on HHF prior to transfer between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2018 were identified from the Royal Flying Doctors Service database. Clinical variables prior to transfer, during flight and after transfer were collected from medical records and flight records.