Helicopter Medical Team Comprehension of Automated Aviation Weather Reporting

Abstract

<h3>Introduction</h3> Flight into instrument meteorological conditions is a well-known and recurrent factor associated with helicopter air ambulance (HAA) crashes. Individual failures to utilize or understand available information sources can contribute to adverse team outcomes. For medical personnel in HAA vehicles, the automated terminal information service (ATIS) is a real-time weather information source. We evaluated the understanding and application of ATIS weather information by HAA medical personnel. <h3>Methods</h3> Thirteen simulated surface weather observation reports were developed in collaboration with ATP-rated HAA pilots. These were categorized as "appropriate" or "inappropriate" for HAA flight based on published program weather minima and individual expertise. The inappropriate conditions were defined as: low ceiling, low broken ceiling, low visibility, risk for fog, and risk for frozen precipitation. All others were considered appropriate. The reports were recorded with a voice synthesizer in standard ATIS format and sequenced using a random number generator. Basic demographics of participating personnel were collected, including job description (nurse, paramedic) and team tenure (categorized <i>a priori</i> as < 1 year, 1-3 years, and > 3 years). Medical personnel listened to the recordings at previously self-scheduled staff meetings and reported their assessment of appropriate or inappropriate for HAA flight. Descriptive statistics are reported, along with Chi-Square testing for comparisons of categorical variables. <h3>Results</h3> Overall, 33 of 61 medical personnel (54%) correctly categorized 75.3% of the ATIS reports (95% confidence interval 59.1% - 91.5%). Suitable weather conditions were identified with greater accuracy than unsuitable conditions (80.7% v. 66.7%, p = 0.001). Paramedics were more accurate than nurses (75.3% v. 59.9%, p = 0.008). HAA tenure was not associated with performance (73.8%, 74%, and 76.2% respectively, p = 0.88). <h3>Conclusion</h3> HAA medical personnel correctly categorized 75.3% of ATIS reports, and only correctly identified 66.7% of unsuitable conditions. There is an opportunity to improve HAA medical team understanding of available ATIS weather information, particularly in the identification of at-risk weather conditions.