The effect of air medical transport on survival after trauma in Johannesburg, South Africa.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the difference in survival of trauma patients transported to a trauma unit via either road or air in Johannesburg, South Africa.


METHODS
Prospective database analysis.


METHODS
Multicentre study utilising two trauma units.


METHODS
The study evaluated 428 subjects admitted to the two sites.


METHODS
Actual survival rates in each group (road and air) were compared with the predicted survival rates.


RESULTS
In the road group, 38.96 people were predicted to die and 51 actually died, therefore 23.61% (or 12.04 people) died 'unnecessarily', i.e. they died after having been predicted to live. In the helicopter group, 38.15 people were predicted to die and 39 actually died, therefore 0.85 (39-38.15) people were not expected to die. The 0.85 people represent 2.18% (0.85/39) of the total number of dead in the helicopter group who died 'unnecessarily'. Therefore one could argue that introduction of helicopter transport reduces the number of dead by 21.43% (23.61-2.18).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with a certain injury severity are more likely to survive if transported by air to a trauma unit.
Buntman
Ari Jack
AJ
Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
Yeomans
Keith Antony
KA
D017732:Air Ambulances / Q000592:standards*; D000552:Ambulances / Q000592:standards; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000379:methods*; D014193:Trauma Centers; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000592:standards*