US army MEDEVAC in the new millennium: A medical perspective

The U.S. Army Aeromedical Evacuation community (MEDEVAC) possesses a long-s tanding tradition oi excellence in the care and transportation of combat ca sualties. Recent developments in civilian air medical transport and quantit ative review of MEDEVAC operations have identified potential areas for impr ovement, concentrating on enhanced flight medic standards, training, sustai nment and medical oversight oi the air ambulance system. These proposed cha nges are discussed in detail, from the perspective of current emergency med icine and aviation medicine standards of practice. If instituted, these cha nges would facilitate the emergence of a true air medical transport capabil ity comparable with the civilian community standard.