@article{ref1,
title="Effectiveness of helicopter versus ground ambulance services for interfacility transport",
journal="Journal of trauma",
year="1998",
author="Arfken, C. L. and Shapiro, M. J. and Bessey, P. Q. and Littenberg, B.",
volume="45",
number="4",
pages="785-790",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Helicopters provide rapid interfacility transport, but the effect on patients is largely unknown. METHODS: Patients requested to be transported between facilities by helicopter were followed prospectively to determine survival, disability, health status, and health care utilization. A total of 1,234 patients were transported by the primary aeromedical company; 153 patients were transported by ground and 25 patients were transported by other aeromedical services because of weather or unavailability of aircraft. RESULTS: There were no differences at 30 days for survivors in disability, health status, or health care utilization. Nineteen percent of helicopter-transported patients died compared with 15% of those transported by ground (p=0.21). CONCLUSION: The patients transported by helicopter did not have improved outcomes compared with patients transported by ground. These data argue against a large advantage of helicopters for interfacility transport. A randomized trial is needed to address these issues conclusively.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0022-5282",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}