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Citation |
McCowan CL, Thomas F, Swanson ER, Hartsell S, Cortez J, Day S, Handrahan DL. Air Med. J. 2006; 25(1): 26-34. |
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Affiliation |
Emergency Department Clinical Operations, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2006, Elsevier Publishing) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
16413424 |
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Abstract |
Introduction: This study examined the epidemiology of winter resort injuries presenting to regional trauma centers by helicopter (HEMS) or ground (GEMS) ambulance. Methods: Five hundred seventy-five patients (GEMS 289; HEMS 286) were identified from trauma registries and HEMS transport records. Demographic data, hospital interventions, and discharge status were examined. Results: HEMS patients had a significantly lower Glasgow coma score (GCS) and trauma score (TS), longer intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), and more deaths than did GEMS patients (P < 0.05). Despite this, significantly more HEMS patients were discharged home from the emergency department (24.5% vs. 4.8%; P < 0.001). HEMS patients had more isolated head/facial injuries and multiple injuries, with less isolated extremity injuries than did GEMS patients (P < 0.05). Regardless of transport mode, patients with multiple injuries, thoracoabdominal injuries, or head injuries with a GCS |