NOJAHIP emblemNOJAHIP
NOJAHIP jet air ambulance on the apron with the EpiShuttle ready for loading
rescEU · Funded by the European Union

Norwegian Jet Air-ambulance for Highly Infectious Patients

Rapid-response medical evacuation and hospital-to-hospital transfer across the EUCPM area, for patients with high consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs), burn injuries, CBRN exposure or a need for ECMO.

On call since 1 March 2022
24/7/365Available all year round
< 24 hTake-off from Oslo (OSL) after mission acceptance
5,000 kmNon-stop range (approx. 2,700 NM)
2 patientsUp to two intensive care patients per flight
01 — About us

Specialised air transport for the most demanding patients.

NOJAHIP was established under the rescEU programme to meet an identified need: the safe air transport of patients with high consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs). The service has been on call since 1 March 2022.

The same expertise now serves a wider group of patients. Today we also transfer burn patients, patients exposed to CBRN agents and patients on ECMO, from hospital to hospital throughout the EUCPM area.

Based in Norway, NOJAHIP builds on 20 years of experience from the Norwegian Air Ambulance service.

Crew moving a patient in an EpiShuttle from a ground ambulance
Our goal

Safe transfers for patients, caregivers and surroundings.

We offer a safe and flexible transport solution for patients with HCIDs, burn injuries, CBRN exposure or a need for ECMO throughout the UCPM coverage area. Before every mission we work closely with local stakeholders at both the sending and the receiving end, so that all parties agree on the safety measures for the transfer.

To prepare for real missions, we gladly take part in relevant meetings and exercises.

02 — Service

Rapid-response medevac and patient transfer.

For patients with suspected or confirmed HCID, CBRN exposure or injury, burns, or a need for ECMO.

The NOJAHIP crews gathered in front of the aircraft

Hospital to hospital

Every transfer runs from hospital to hospital. HCID patients travel in the EpiShuttle isolation unit.

Self-sustained teams

Teams bring all their own equipment. Only ground transport is arranged locally.

Ready within 24 hours

Available 24/7/365, with take-off from Oslo Airport within 24 hours of mission acceptance.

More than HCID

The service also covers burn patients, patients exposed to CBRN agents and patients on ECMO.

03 — Aircraft & patient

Cessna 680A Citation Latitude

Callsign LN-EUJ
RANGE≈ 5,000 km non-stop

Approximately 2,700 nautical miles without refuelling.

CABIN PRESSURESea level up to FL250

A sea-level cabin is possible when flying up to 25,000 ft.

CAPACITYUp to two ICU patients

When isolation is not required, the aircraft can carry up to two intensive care patients, including patients on mechanical ventilation.

LOADINGSpecialised loading system

A dedicated system for loading the patient into the aircraft cabin.

The EpiShuttle

One patient is transported in an EpiShuttle with negative interior pressure and A2P3/CBRN air filtration. Our setup allows us to care for patients ranging from conscious, stable patients to those needing critical care interventions.

The treatment needed before departure depends on the length of the transfer and the condition of the patient.

Empty EpiShuttle on a stretcher Patient inside an EpiShuttle with infusion pumps attached EpiShuttle on the loading system beside the aircraft
04 — Teams

Seven national teams, trained for the most complex patient transfers.

Every mission crew

Pilots2
Team leader (anaesthesiologist)1
Specialised flight nurse1
Safety officer / paramedic1
Fourth team member if needed+1

Competence

  • Extensive training and certification in HCID transport
  • Re-training twice a year
  • E-learning courses
  • EBA-EMSB certification
  • CRN standardisation course from the Norwegian CBRNe Centre
Flight nurse working at an EpiShuttle in the cabin Two crew members in full protective suits Two crew members standing by the aircraft door
05 — Exercises

Trained, drilled, ready.

FULL-SCALE EXERCISE

Rescue Borealis / THOR

Staff in protective suits preparing a patient in an EpiShuttle EpiShuttle being loaded into the jet during the exercise NOJAHIP crew briefing with local ambulance staff Handover in a hospital isolation room
EpiShuttle secured inside a ground ambulance

Volare exercise

Pilot and crew loading the EpiShuttle into the aircraft

Recurrent training

All teams re-train twice a year, supported by e-learning courses between sessions.

EpiShuttle with monitoring equipment in a hospital lift

Joint exercises

We are happy to take part in exercises with hospitals and ambulance services at both ends of the transfer.

Contact

nojahip@gmail.com
In cooperation with
Funded by the European Union, Norway, the Norwegian Directorate of Health, and the regional health authorities Helse Vest, Helse Sør-Øst, Helse Midt-Norge and Helse Nord