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Citation |
Benson NH, Hunt RC, Tolson J, Stone CK, Sousa JA, Nimmo MJ. Air Med. J. 1994; 13(5): 163-165. |
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Affiliation |
Department of Emergency Medicine, East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, NC 27858. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 1994, Elsevier Publishing) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
10133649 |
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Abstract |
INTRODUCTION: Flight following is a key component of an air medical transport service's safety program. National standards require conscientious adherence to flight following. EastCare monitored its compliance with internal flight-following requirements for three years. SETTING: EastCare is a single-helicopter, hospital-based air medical transport service located in a rural region of the southeastern United States. It has a full-time staff of flight nurses, pilots and communications specialists. METHODS: A continuous quality improvement (CQI) process was initiated to delineate specific areas requiring improvement. These areas were discussed at the air medical service's monthly CQI meetings. RESULTS: In 1989, the communications specialists achieved flight following intervals of < or = 15 minutes in 98% of attempts. In 1990 and 1991, the frequency of flight-following intervals of < or = 15 minutes were 98.8% and 99.6%, respectively. The CQI process pointed out educational requirements, technological problems and other areas for improvement. CONCLUSION: The use of a structured CQI process for this service directly contributed to consistently strong compliance in the frequency of flight following. Language: en |