Trauma Simulation: Building an Airborne Transfer Network for Critical Care in the Greater Bay Area

In a landmark emergency simulation led by the University of Hong Kong–Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH), trauma teams, air rescue providers, and hospital emergency departments joined forces to rehearse rapid medical evacuation from an offshore platform to an ICU in Shenzhen. TKP Medical Assistance played a key role in the prehospital airborne response and shared insights on air-medical coordination post-exercise.

TKP medical team departs for the offshore platform alongside staff from CITIC Offshore Heliport

Collaborative Training for Offshore Emergency Response

To strengthen trauma preparedness and cross-border rescue capabilities, HKU-SZH’s trauma surgery department—part of Shenzhen’s prestigious “Three Famous Medical Teams” initiative—led a high-fidelity simulation involving a fall-related injury on an offshore oil platform. The exercise, designed to minimize casualties and economic loss, integrated air rescue, hospital triage, and critical care coordination.

Medical helicopter arrives at the helipad of the University of Hong Kong–Shenzhen Hospital

Seamless Helicopter Transfer by TKP Medical Assistance

Following the mock distress call, TKP’s flight medical team boarded a standby helicopter from the CITIC Offshore Heliport in Shenzhen. Upon arrival at the simulated offshore site, they assessed the “patient,” provided prehospital stabilization, and initiated helicopter transfer to HKU-SZH. The emergency department had already activated its trauma protocol and mobilized a multidisciplinary team across surgery, orthopedics, anesthesia, and interventional radiology.

TKP team hands over the patient to the trauma unit at HKU-SZH for further evaluation and care

Post-Drill Insights: Advocating for Scalable Air-Medical Networks

After a successful simulation and ICU handoff, stakeholders gathered for a debrief session. TKP’s Director of Operations, Mr. Xu Jianping, proposed an integrated “One Hub, Multi-Hospital” air medical model—led by government collaboration and built upon centralized helicopter infrastructure. His concept, inspired by Hong Kong’s Government Flying Service (GFS), received wide recognition as a blueprint for scalable, cost-effective emergency air-medical systems in the Greater Bay Area.

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