Automatic helicopter standby policy for seriously injured patients.
BACKGROUND
Automatic standby (AS) of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) may allow improved utilization appropriateness (UA) for scene trauma, although this has not been studied.


METHODS
HEMS records were reviewed for 16 months, including date, county of origin, and UA. Data were analyzed descriptively with chi(2) where appropriate.


RESULTS
Of 274 flights, there was no significant change in UA where AS was in place versus where it was not (P =.36). One county had an increase in total flights with AS in use without a significant change in UA (P =.10).


CONCLUSIONS
In this region, use of an AS policy for scene trauma resulted in increased utilization of HEMS without a corresponding change in UA. Specifically, inappropriate utilization did not increase. This finding suggests that such a policy does not incur overutilization despite increasing total flights. Further study with larger numbers is necessary to draw definitive conclusions.
Emerson
Catherine
C
Albany MedFLIGHT/Life Net of New York, USA.
Funk
Deborah L
DL
D000059:Accidents; D017732:Air Ambulances / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000592:standards*; D006292:Health Priorities / Q000458:organization & administration; D006300:Health Services Misuse; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D016134:Organizational Policy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D014481:United States; D014600:Utilization Review; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000145:classification* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy