Flying in the face of danger. A spate of air ambulance crashes has raised questions about safety, but providers say the service offers overwhelming benefits.
The first six months of 2008 brought a distressing number of air ambulance crashes, including one in late June that claimed six lives. But providers say the benefits far outweigh the risks. "Our job is to provide healthcare to our patients as quickly as possible," says Art Chance, left, of East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System. "We see helicopter service as a vital part of that".
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D000060:Accidents, Aviation / Q000401:mortality / Q000639:trends*; D017732:Air Ambulances; D006801:Humans; D017751:Safety Management; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology