Acta chirurgica Scandinavica. Supplementum
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Acta Chir Scand Suppl · Jan 1986
The ambulance helicopter is a prerequisite for centralised emergency care.
During the summer seasons of 1978-1983 (56 weeks), trial activity with a physician-manned ambulance helicopter was carried out in the County of Stockholm (population 1.5 million). The area includes an extensive archipelago. Within the region there are 11 large general hospitals, three of which are supplied with a helicopter pad. ⋯ By special training of emergency call operators, the number of unnecessary helicopter missions could be minimised (9% of all missions). To continuing specialisation and centralisation of emergency care with extended catchment areas, demands an advanced transport system. This trial has shown that through the use of a physician-manned ambulance helicopter the emergency care within the region can be centralised with retention of adequate turn-out times.