Air medical response for illness revisited.
BACKGROUND
A previous study (1988-1990) suggested that the majority of air medical scene transports for illness in the Columbus, Ohio, service area were inappropriate. The current study followed an aggressive prehospital educational program (1991-1993) that continued during the study. The question asked: Did this educational program make a difference?


METHODS
A descriptive, retrospective review of all patients transported from the scene of illness to tertiary care by air.


METHODS
A single air medical transport service with a rural service area encompassing most of central and southeastern Ohio.


RESULTS
In the 27 months ending September 1993, there were 3,669 completed missions and 1,039 scene missions. Twenty-seven patients transported for illness included 11 males and 16 females, with an average age of 22.3 years. Significant differences between 1988-90 and 1991-93 included: Number--10% vs. 2.6% (2,414 vs. 3,669), diagnosis arrest--29.4% vs. 3.7%, diagnosis seizure--14.7% vs. 48.1%, tertiary care needed--20.6% vs. 70.4%, helicopter needed--0.0% vs. 29.6%. Total mission volume increased (2,414 vs. 3,669) while the percent scene total volume remained constant (28.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
An aggressive educational program led to a significant decrease in inappropriate helicopter use in the service area studied.
LifeFlight, Grant Medical Center, Columbus, OH.
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Johnson
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Falcone
D000328:Adult; D017732:Air Ambulances / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009820:Ohio; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*