Merits and capabilities of helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) in traumatized patients

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Andruszkow, Hagen^{; *} | Frink, Michael | Zeckey, Christian | Krettek, Christian | Hildebrand, Frank | Mommsen, Philipp

Affiliations: Trauma Department, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Hagen Andruszkow, MD, Trauma Department, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany. Tel.: +49 1761 532 2338; Fax: +49 511 532 8805; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: Since the introduction of helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) into the civilian rescue system, there is an ongoing discussion on its potential benefits in terms of time- and cost-effectiveness as well as clinical outcome improvement. Currently, the use of HEMS seems to provide a survival benefit in traumatized patients due to several aspects compared to ground emergency medical service (GEMS). First of all, HEMS facilitate rapid transport from the scene to hospital based on increased transportation velocity. Furthermore, HEMS medical crew members are experienced in trauma management resulting in improved on-scene management and patients' triaging. However, these aspects should be considered carefully as specific circumstances referring to rescue teams, on-scene management as well as preclinical durations, triaging of trauma patients and subsequent treatment at different hospitals have to be attended. In the present review current aspects of HEMS compared to GEMS are discussed.

Keywords: Helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS), traumatized patients, survival benefit, time and cost efficiency

DOI: 10.3233/THC-2012-0691

Journal: Technology and Health Care, vol. 20, no. 5, pp. 435-444, 2012