title: Landing sites and intubation may influence helicopter emergency medical services on-scene time.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reduced transport time of patients from the scene of an accident to definitive surgical treatment is one important reason to employ ambulance helicopters on trauma missions. However, if the helicopter is unable to land close to the scene, the transport time may be increased compared to transport with ground ambulance, due to time-consuming transfer of the patient between vehicles.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate how the landing site, as determined by distance from the scene, and rapid sequence intubation (RSI) affected on-scene time (OST).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective observational study performed during a 12-month period in a mixed urban and rural anesthesiologist-staffed Helicopter Emergency Medical Service in Norway. Data regarding the landing sites, the accident, and patient treatment were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 252 primary trauma missions were included in the study. In 75% of the missions, the aircraft landed<50 meters from the scene, and in 7% the distance exceeded 200 meters. Mean OST when the patient was not intubated was 14.5 min (median 14 min). When an RSI was performed, the mean OST was significantly higher (22.7 min, median 20 min; p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Usually, a helicopter can land close to the accident scene and the location of the landing site does not contribute to a delay in arrival of the patient at the hospital. The OST is significantly higher, however, in those patients who receive endotracheal intubation before take-off. This reflects the time needed for intubation, as well as the increased complexity and workload when the patient is severely injured.
authors.affiliation: Air Ambulance Department, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Anders Rostrup
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Nakstad
authors.forename: Terje
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Strand
authors.forename: Mårten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sandberg
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents; D017732:Air Ambulances; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D009664:Norway; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019035:Rural Health Services; D013997:Time Factors; D019037:Urban Health Services