A MORE COST-EFFECTIVE USE OF MEDICAL AIR EVACUATION PERSONNEL

Air transport of severely traumatized patients has evolved from novel pilot programs into integral services provided by tertiary care health centers. Medical air evacuation (MedEvac) effectiveness is mainly due to the rapid transport of critically injured (90% blunt trauma) patie nts to the hospital by highly trained medical personnel. A recent self -study of a University-based MedEvac crew showed that 67 per cent of t heir on-duty time was ''available.'' Only 33 per cent of duty time was flying or related patient care. In this era of cost containment, the optimal use of materials and services must be reassessed. The most cos t-effective use of the crew may require expanding the role of the MedE vac to include Emergency Department responsibilities as part of the jo b description. This represents change and stressful group dynamics. Ho wever, by coordinating the Emergency Department and MedEvac schedules, the hospital is able to make more efficient use of resources. No flig ht was delayed by this work proposal.