Is Helicopter Evacuation Effective in Rural Trauma Transport?

Although trauma victims can be transported to acute medical facilities by helicopter, it remains unclear whether this form of emergency transportation improves medical outcome. This study evaluates the utilization of helicopter transportation in a rural setting and its effect on patient survival. A retrospective chart review was conducted of all rural helicopter and ground ambulance trauma patient transports to a Level I trauma center in Alabama in 2007-2008. Patient mortality and Injury Severity Score (ISS) data was collected. Miles to the Level I trauma center were calculated from the point where helicopter or ground ambulance transport services initiated contact with the patient to the Level I trauma center. A total of 1443 rural trauma patients were transported by ground ambulance and 1028 rural trauma patients were transported by helicopter over the two-year period. Of the patients with ISS of 0 to 10, 471 patients were transported by helicopter and 1039 transported by ground. Findings showed that there were 465 (99%) survivors with ISS 0 to 10 transported by helicopter with an average transport distance of 34.6 miles versus 1034 (99.5%) survivors with ISS 0 to 10 who were transported by ground an average of 41.0 miles. The survival rate for patients with ISS 11 to 30 transported by helicopter an average of 33.3 miles was 87% versus a 95% survival rate in patients with ISS 11 to 30 who were transported by ground an average of 39.9 miles. A total of 136 patients with ISS > 30 were transported by helicopter an average of 32.8 miles, with 78 (57%) survivors versus a 69% survival in 52 patients with ISS > 30 who were transported by ground an average of 33.0 miles. These results suggest that helicopter transportation does not seem to improve survival in severely injured (ISS > 30) or less severely injured patients. Helicopter transportation was also associated with shorter travel distances. These findings indicate the need for more research on the effective use of helicopters for rural trauma transport.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00031348
• Authors:
  • Rose, Melanie K
  • Cummings, G R
  • Rodning, Charles B
  • Brevard, Sid B
  • Gonzalez, Richard P
• Publication Date: 2012-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 794-797
• Serial:
  • American Surgeon
  • Volume: 78
  • Issue Number: 7
  • Publisher: Southeastern Surgical Congress
  • ISSN: 0003-1348
  • EISSN: 1555-9823
  • Serial URL: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/sesc/tas

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air ambulances; Helicopter transportation; Injury severity; Outcome (Medical treatment); Rural areas
• Geographic Terms: Alabama
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; I84: Personal Injuries;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01447243
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 26 2012 8:58AM