Invited Commentary

Commentary on "Survival of Trauma Victims Transported by Helicopter Who Required CPR Within the First Hour of Hospital Arrival"

Authors: Kevin M. Boehm, DO, MSc

Abstract

In early December 2015, a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) flight crew was dispatched in California to transport a patient. The helicopter took off in inclement weather conditions--heavy rain and fog--and subsequently crashed. The pilot, paramedic, nurse, and patient aboard ultimately died. At this point we do not know the exact cause of the crash, but it should be noted that this particular helicopter transport crew were known to be a skillful and cautious crew.1

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References

1. Four killed California medical helicopter crash. http://www.jems.com/articles/2015/12/four-killed-california-medical-helicopter-crash.html. Published December 11, 2015. Accessed December 12, 2015.
 
2. Ahmed N. Survival of trauma victims transported by helicopter who required cardiopulmonary resuscitation within the first hour of hospital arrival. South Med J 2016;109:213-219.
 
3. Thomas SH, Brown KM, Oliver ZJ, et al. An evidence-based guideline for the air medical transportation of prehospital trauma patients. Prehosp Emerg Care 2014;18(Suppl 1):35-44.
 
4. Sasser SM, Hunt RC, Faul M, et al. Guidelines for field triage of injured patients: recommendations of the National Expert Panel on Field Triage, 2011. MMWR Recomm Rep 2012;61(RR-1):1-20.
 
5. Eavis P. Air ambulances offer a lifeline, and then a sky-high bill. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/06/business/rescued-by-an-air-ambulance-but-stunned-at-the-sky-high-bill.html?_r=0. Published May 5, 2015. Accessed December 12, 2015.
 
6. Lerner EB, Billittier AS. Delay in ED arrival resulting from a remote helipad at a trauma center. Air Med J 2000;19:134-136.