Experience with a mobile CT scanner as part of an airmobile hospital of the Ministry of Emergencies of Russia in the field conditions of the Far North to combat the outbreak of a new coronavirus infection

Background . Large-scale construction of industrial and transport facilities is underway in the Far North of Russia. The process involves more than 10,000 shift workers, and there was a Covid19 outbreak in this population. In order to contain the outbreak and prevent the spread of infection in this area the Russian Emergencies Ministry deployed an airmobile hospital. Purpose . The purpose is to present an experience of work with the mobile CT scanner as part of an airmobile field hospital deployed in the Far North of Russia to combat the Covid-19 outbreak. Materials and methods . On April 6, 2020, the construction site reported a “zero patient” who sought medical aid; the PCR test showed positive results of coronavirus. In the first half of April, over 300 rotation employees applied for medical care, most of them had a positive PCR test. On April 11, a state of emergency was declared in the construction site and, on April 17, 2020, airmobile hospital started operations. Its mission lasted 54 days. The mobile CT scanner (Brightspeed Elite Mobile, GE) was transported by land. The field hospital closely cooperated with the nearest medical institutions and the regional clinical hospital. Results . During its work the airmobile hospital examined 1,678 rotational workers and 408 employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Murmansk region, with 2,086 CT scans performed. The average age of the patients was 37.8 years, men predominated. In 91.2% of patients, fever was the first symptom of the disease. Blood saturation results ranged from 92% to 99%. The degree of lung involvement ranged from CT 0 to CT 4. During the work of the airmobile hospital, COVID-19 was diagnosed in 500 people, including 328 cases of mild form, 98 – moderate, 74 – severe, no mortalities. Conclusion . A positive experience of application of the mobile CT scanner as part of the AMH field hospital in unfavorable epidemiological conditions of the Far North of the Russian Federation was obtained. CT plays a key role in early detection of infection, differential diagnosis, and identification of complications. Determination of the severity of the disease based on CT data is crucial for patient routing.