Air medical journal
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Air medical journal · Jul 1994
ReviewThe cost-effectiveness of air medical helicopter crash survival enhancements. An evaluation of the costs, benefits and effectiveness of injury prevention interventions.
This study evaluates EMS helicopter-injury reduction interventions and associated costs for survivable crashes. Specific injury categories evaluated include head injuries, spinal injuries and thermal injuries. The benefits and costs of the preventive interventions are evaluated through cost-effectiveness analyses that provide a basis for informed safety-enhancement decisions for EMS helicopter operators, based on the most cost-efficient interventions. ⋯ Emergency medical service helicopter occupants should wear fire-resistant uniforms and helmets, and medical crew members should have EAS systems when available. These EAS systems also are recommended for pilots, although they were not shown to be cost-effective based on the projections developed in this study.
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Air medical journal · May 1994
Interhospital transfer of cardiac patients: does air transport make a difference?
The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of interhospital transported cardiac patients for whom bias in selecting transport mode was removed due to helicopter unavailability. ⋯ It appears that the interhospital transport of cardiac patients by air offers no outcome advantage over ground transport.
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Air medical journal · Apr 1994
The effect of an in-flight, emergency training program on crew confidence.
Despite some progress, the air medical transport profession continues to experience widely publicized accidents that result in injuries and death to crew members and patients. An air medical crew member's experience, training and confidence may affect his or her ability to deal effectively with an in-flight emergency, and may also affect his or her behavior before and after the emergency. ⋯ A training program focusing on in-flight, aircraft-related emergencies can increase the crew's confidence during such situations. This increase in confidence is most noticeable in those without previous training or experience and is maintained for at least six months. Several other benefits occur from the training program.