Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the outcome of cardiac patients transported by helicopter versus ground ambulance Setting: A hospital-based helicopter program in southeastern Minnesota Methods: Retrospective chart review assessing an 18-month period (January 1998 to June 1999). Charts were reviewed for type of cardiac diagnosis, level of pain, treatments en route, time to intervention, and length of stay (LOS). Two-hundred-sixty-six cardiac patients came by helicopter. Of the 86 turndowns, 50 came by ground ambulance; 28 records were recovered in this group. These patients composed the comparison ground group. Results: Prehospital time was less for patients transported by air than ground transports ( P < .001). The amount of time from the call for transport until arrival at our hospital was less for helicopter transports ( P = .002). Air transports had more patients with reduced chest pain on arrival. Difference in CCU LOS was not significant ( P = .94). Air patients spent an average of 2 fewer days in the hospital than did ground patients ( P = .036). Discussion: Helicopter transport benefits the cardiac patient with decreased chest pain as a result of more treatments en route; decreased time from the call until arrival, resulting in decreased time to intervention; and shorter prehospital time and hospital stays. Conclusion: All of these improved variables relate to salvaged cardiac muscle.
Published Version
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