Survivability in air vs. ground transported trauma patients

Abstract

Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (EMS) programs have shown a steady pattern of growth over the last 20 years. The impact of hospital-based helicopter EMS programs, on the survival of trauma patients has been evaluated by several investigators with conflicting results. The purpose of this study was to compare the survivability of trauma patients flown by helicopter versus the survivability of trauma patients transported by ground vehicle to a Level I Trauma Center. 11 The second purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between survivability and 1) age, 2) mechanism of injury, 3) severity of injury, and 4) physiologic insult in a population of trauma patients flown by helicopter to a Level I Trauma Center, and a population of trauma patients transported by ground vehicle to a Level I Trauma Center. Chi Square tests of statistical independence were used to analyze the data. Air transported patients were found to have statistically significantly higher injury severity scores, and a higher mortality rate. A blood pressure of < 80, age of > 54, and penetrating injury were also found to negatively impact survival.