Apples and oranges in HEMS – Do we know what we compare?

Kristen Rasmussen,Stephen Jm Sollid

doi:10.1186/1757-7241-23-s2-a29

Abstract

Background The choice of medical staffing in helicopter emergency systems (HEMS) is continuously under debate. Many studies have attempted to demonstrate the benefit of one profession over the other. Only one RCT-study on staffing models in HEMS randomized patient care to either a physician and nurse or nurse and paramedic [1]. None of the studies have however succeeded in providing the answer to what is the optimal medical crew concept. One of the challenges in comparing the effect of different professions on outcome is the lack of a precise definition of competence of each profession involved in HEMS. The HEMS Medical Crew Survey was designed to collect data on different HEMS crew compositions and the rationale behind them. We here present data from this survey describing the diversity of formal competence for physicians, nurses and paramedics that are part of the regular crew in HEMS.

Highlights

The choice of medical staffing in helicopter emergency systems (HEMS) is continuously under debate
One of the challenges in comparing the effect of different professions on outcome is the lack of a precise definition of competence of each profession involved in HEMS
We here present data from this survey describing the diversity of formal competence for physicians, nurses and paramedics that are part of the regular crew in HEMS

Summary

Introduction

Background The choice of medical staffing in helicopter emergency systems (HEMS) is continuously under debate. One RCT-study on staffing models in HEMS randomized patient care to either a physician and nurse or nurse and paramedic [1]. None of the studies have succeeded in providing the answer to what is the optimal medical crew concept. One of the challenges in comparing the effect of different professions on outcome is the lack of a precise definition of competence of each profession involved in HEMS.

Results

Conclusion