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Demographics of Prehospital Helicopter EMS Responses in Rural Florida

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Eric Savitsky  and
Howard Rodenberg
Eric Savitsky
Affiliation:
Resident Physician, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
Howard Rodenberg*
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine; Medical Director, ShandsCair Flight Program, Shands Hospital at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
*
Box J-392 JHMHC, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610USA
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Abstract

Introduction:

Helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) systems typically are described in terms of their role in the care and transport of trauma victims, while their function(s) in the care of patients with medical illness goes unrecognized.

Methods:

Review of 575 prehospital HEMS missions by a flight program located in rural, north-central Florida over a five-year period, was performed to define demographics regarding the nature of the call.

Results:

Scene responses for trauma victims comprised 63% of these missions, while patients with medical illnesses comprised 37%. The incidence of medical scene responses is significantly higher in this review than has been noted in previous reports.

Conclusion:

1) In rural settings, patients with medical illnesses comprise a major share of prehospital HEMS responses; 2) HEMS flight crews should be competent in treatment of prehospital medical patients, and their protocols reflect the needs of these patients; and 3) EMS providers must be aware of the role of HEMS in the transport of the medical patient.

Type
Brief Report
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 7 , Issue 3 , September 1992 , pp. 279 - 281
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 1992

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