A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF ON-SCENE HELICOPTER TRANSPORT ON SURVIVAL IN ASTATEWIDE TRAUMA SYSTEM

Background: Recently, questions have been raised regarding the effecti veness of helicopters in trauma care. We conducted a retrospective stu dy to evaluate the effect of on-scene helicopter transport on survival after trauma in a statewide trauma system. Methods: Data were obtaine d from a statewide trauma registry of 162,730 patients treated at 28 a ccredited trauma centers. Patients transported from the scene by helic opter (15,938) were compared with those transported by ground with adv anced life support (ALS) (6,473), Interhospital transfers and transpor ts without ALS were excluded, Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance and logistic regression. Results: Patien ts transported by helicopter were significantly (p < 0.01) younger, we re more seriously injured, and had lower blood pressure. They were als o more likely to be male and to have systolic blood pressure < 90 mm H g, Logistic regression analysis revealed that when adjusting for other risk factors, transportation by helicopter did not affect the estimat ed odds of survival. Conclusion: A reappraisal of the cost-effectivene ss of helicopter triage and transport criteria, when access to ground ALS squads is available, may be warranted.