title: Helicopter dispatch: a time study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To quantitate request to liftoff (R/L) and dispatch to liftoff (D/L) times and reasons for delay in an active air medical transport program.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective observational study blinded to crew and pilots. Data were collected by the communications department during a 4-week period on 197 consecutive missions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The air medical helicopter program services 25,000 square miles with four BK 117 helicopter each staffed by nurse/paramedic crew. During the study period, R/L and D/L averaged 10.9 and 6.8 minutes, respectively. One hundred and twenty-two flights had an R/L of 10 minutes or less for an average R/L of 7.2 minutes and D/L of 5.9 minutes. Seventy-five flights had an R/L greater than 10 minutes, for which reasons included weather check--21; standby by requestor--27; all ships in flight--5; receiving facility delay--4; mechanical problems--4; original ship diverted--2; additional fuel needed--1; airport clearance--1; and no specific reason given--10.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most variance occurred in R/L rather than D/L. Evaluating R/L time not only provides a better indication of program activity but also identifies most delays. It appears reasons for delay are limited, which should allow development of a concise plan to overcome them.
authors.affiliation: Regional Trauma Services, Grant Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43215, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stanhope
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Falcone
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Werman
mesh_terms: D017732:Air Ambulances / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D009820:Ohio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017748:Time Management; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*