Citation

Curtis L, Salmon M, Lyon RM. Air Med. J. 2017; 36(6): 307-310.

Affiliation

Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust, Kent, UK; University of Surrey, Surrey, UK. Electronic address: richardl@kssairambulance.org.uk.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.amj.2017.06.005

PMID

29132593

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to assess the impact of a helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) capable of night operations.

METHODS: This is a retrospective case review of all night HEMS missions attended by a charity air ambulance service in South East England over a 2-year period (October 1, 2013, to October 1, 2015).

RESULTS: During the 2-year trial period, the HEMS service undertook a total of 5,004 missions and attended to 3,728 patients. Of these, 1,373 missions, or 27.4% of the total HEMS activity, were night missions. Night missions increased from year 1 (n = 617) to year 2 (n = 756). A mean of 1.9 missions per night were conducted, resulting in the treatment of 1.3 patients per night. A higher proportion of patients were transported to a major trauma center at night (64% vs. 51%, χ(2) = 41.8, P <.0001). Weather conditions prevented HEMS from responding at night via air for 15% of the night operational hours.

CONCLUSION: A 2-year trial period of a night HEMS service in South East England showed the predicted activation rate, with a mean of 1.3 patients attended to per night. Patients transported to a major trauma center had a mean Injury Severity Score of 23. Further research is warranted to determine if the night HEMS service conveys a patient outcome benefit.

Copyright © 2017 Air Medical Journal Associates. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en