In medical emergency situations, the time factor plays a crucial role. The use of drones will be used in the future so that blood reserves, blood samples, histological findings or medication can be transported between the facilities of the Lower Austrian State Health Agency (LGA) and health care can be provided as quickly as possible. “This brings enormous advantages for everyone involved – but above all for the patients,” said State Councilor Ludwig Schleritzko (ÖVP).
For the “Medical Drone Service” project, the Lower Austrian State Health Agency (LGA) has teamed up with the Lower Austrian startup Apeleon, the ÖAMTC Flugrettung, the NÖ emergency call and the state’s own business agency Ecoplus and has already visited the helipad at the St. Pölten University Hospital to conduct future drone testing to plan. The first test flights in Lower Austria are scheduled to take place next year. Drone flights should be able to be implemented by the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025 at the latest.
A tour for future drone test flights took place at the heli-landing site of the St. Pölten University Hospital.
Photo:
Philipp Monihart, Philipp Monihart
The aim of the project is to be able to transport medical goods over a maximum distance of 100 kilometers. To make this possible, a logistics chain is being worked on, which will then be implemented with a transport box during the test flight. In addition, a standard procedure for communication must be established so that the common landing sites can be coordinated as best as possible.
