Additional Benefits to HEAS Transfer

Abstract

Melton and colleagues report an over triage rate for helicopter emergency ambulance service tasking. This, of course, is a clinical safeguard. The lay press frequently look for dramatic evidence of lives saved by using helicopters and completely fail to appreciate that a helicopter is merely an ambulance that flies and can move between two places very quickly, often in a straight line, and affords the option of taking the patient direct to a hospital most suited for their clinical needs. In addition, it can transport additional kit and a medical response to an incident. It is important to remember that the helicopter is part of an integrated response service. There are numerous indirect benefits not mentioned in this paper; for example, approximately 25% of cases were to sites with presumed difficult access for a land response (horse riding and paragliding accidents). Whilst these patients' injuries may not be serious, the humanitarian act of prompt attendance and care is unquestionable. A land-based resource may have to park at a distance from the patient and transfer kit including a stretcher over fields, which is time consuming, a health and safety hazard and often associated with logistical difficulties. A helicopter-based response will usually give direct access to the patient and maintain the availability of the land-based resource for other emergencies. Increasingly, helicopters in the UK are carrying as crew members doctors who can deliver a full range of critical care skills including rapid sequence induction (RSI) of anaesthesia. In addition, helicopter paramedics are being trained as critical care practitioners. An outcome analysis of this type of service will, I think, make a measurable impact on patient outcome.