Helicopter Emergency Medical Services for Trauma Patient Transport: A Single Center Experience and Literature Review

Abstract

Purpose: Time from the scene to the hospital for critically injured patients is crucial. Because helicopters are capable of higher speeds over longer distances without regard to difficult terrain, they can potentially afford an injured patient improved survival over ground trans-port modalities. We hypothesize that patient survival will be different if the attendant is a physician compared to a paramedic.

Methods: One hundred fifty seven patients transported by helicopter run by the National Emergency Management Agency and Gyeonggi-do Fire Services from March 2011 to April 2013 were identified by review of their medical records.

Results: There was no survival difference between physician and paramedical helicopter emergency services, but Injury Severity Scores (ISS) of patients with physician helicopter emergency services were significantly higher (p＜0.0001).

Conclusion: A physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical service can improve survival in patients with traumatic injury