Air medical journal
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Appropriateness of helicopter transport for trauma patient transfer is under closer scrutiny with the development of regionalized trauma systems and managed care. This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the 14 Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) guidelines in triaging trauma patients. ⋯ The AAMS transport guidelines for trauma patients accurately predict the potential for serious or life-threatening injury, with the exception of falls and amputations. The rapid access to highly skilled reimplantation teams required by patients with amputations justifies helicopter transport. However, falls greater than 20 feet do not appear to identify potential for life-threatening injury.
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Air medical journal · Jan 1998
A 10-year experience in the use of air medical transport for medical scene calls.
The objective of this retrospective descriptive study was to evaluate the use of air medical services in response to medical scene calls for transport to tertiary care in the rural setting. ⋯ Evacuation of the rural patient with a medical emergency accounts for an extremely small percentage of an air medical service's use. ALS services, including emergency procedures at the scene and rapid transport to a tertiary care, were provided. Seventy-one percent of the flights reviewed required transport to a tertiary care facility, indicating that air medical transport was appropriate. Physician guidelines to ensure effective and cost-efficient use of these services should be developed. Responding for victims in cardiopulmonary arrest appears to provide little benefit with respect to outcome.