Overview
International SOS provides comprehensive emergency and primary healthcare services to a leading energy company in Qatar. At our client’s remote site clinic in Qatar, an employee presented with acute chest pain. Our on-site medical team swiftly stabilised the patient and conducted all necessary check-up tests before transferring him to a specialist facility for further treatment. Within less than 1.5 hours, the patient was safely transported to a hospital 30 km away. Our team’s prompt response ensured the patient’s successful recovery.
Problem
Our client, a leading energy company, operates in a remote industrial zone in northern Qatar, where access to nearby healthcare facilities is limited. Common health issues, such as upper respiratory tract infections, are prevalent in remote environments. The top priority in a clinical context is to manage and stabilise emergency situations like heart attacks. Therefore, it is essential to have an appropriate staffing model with proper medical emergency equipment on-site. Additionally, access to medical transport resources, such as ground ambulances, is crucial for transporting patients to advanced clinical care facilities. The patient had underlying co-morbidities, and our medical team suspected a heart attack, making it a medical emergency. Stabilising the patient was especially important.
Solution
Our medical team prioritised a thorough cardiac assessment. The patient’s vital signs were rapidly evaluated. Although the initial electrocardiogram (ECG) was inconclusive, a repeated ECG revealed changes that prompted swift action for a suspected heart attack.
Given the urgency and potential severity of the situation, the medical team decided to transfer the patient to a tertiary facility with specialist care. Following the established site's evacuation response plan, our team quickly identified an accessible hospital capable of handling the emergency. The patient was stabilised and prepared for ground medical evacuation, with continuous monitoring and support provided by our medical team during the escort.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the patient was handed over to the hospital staff, who had been briefed about the situation. The patient was subsequently airlifted to a specialised heart hospital in the capital, where he underwent successful angiography and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). Our medical team maintained regular contact with the patient, his family, and his employer, ensuring a smooth recovery until discharge and eventual return to work after a one-month healing break.
Impact
The timely response of our on-site medical team was crucial in diagnosing and managing the patient's condition. This ensured the patient received the necessary care throughout his recovery and successful return to work following a fitness assessment.
After any challenging case, our medical team routinely holds debriefing sessions with the client’s on-site team to provide feedback, helping them stay prepared for similar emergencies in the future. The client’s on-site staff also underwent fitness assessments and multiple first aid training, which now include education on recognising and responding to heart attack symptoms. Reflecting on such incidents underscores the importance of immediate action, having a robust referral plan, and maintaining a comprehensive medical inventory and on-site equipment.
This incident illustrates the indispensable role of a well-trained and responsive medical team in ensuring on-site safety.