Helicopter Emergency Ambulance Service (HEAS) transfer: an analysis of trauma patient case-mix, injury severity and outcome.
BACKGROUND
A retrospective review of all patients transferred by helicopter ambulance to the Great Western Hospital over a 20-month period between January 2003 and September 2004 was undertaken to establish the case-mix of patients (trauma and non-trauma) transferred and the outcome.


METHODS
Details of all Helicopter Emergency Ambulance Service (HEAS) transfers to this unit in the study time period were obtained from the three HEAS providers in the area and case notes were reviewed.


RESULTS
There were 156 trauma patients transferred (total 193) in the study period with 111 cases identified for analysis with a mean age of 33 years (range, 1-92 years). Average Injury Severity Score on admission was 12 (range, 1-36). Forty-five patients were discharged home from the emergency department, 24 cases had operation, 10 patients required ICU care and 2 were pronounced dead in the emergency department. Average hospital stay following HEAS transfer was 2.97 days (range, 0-18 days).


CONCLUSIONS
Helicopter ambulance transfer in the acute setting is of debated value. Triage criteria are at fault if as many as 41% of patients transferred are being discharged home from casualty having incurred the financial cost of helicopter transfer. We suggest that the triage criteria for helicopter emergency transfer should be reviewed.
Melton
J T K
JT
Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, The Great Western Hospital, Swindon & Marlborough NHS Trust, Swindon, UK. joel.melton@virgin.net
Jain
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Kendrick
B
B
Deo
S D
SD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017732:Air Ambulances / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D004630:Emergencies / Q000453:epidemiology; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008875:Middle Aged; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*
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