@article{ref1,
title="Improved flight following through continuous quality improvement",
journal="Air Medical Journal",
year="1994",
author="Benson, N. H. and Hunt, R. C. and Tolson, J. and Stone, C. K. and Sousa, J. A. and Nimmo, M. J.",
volume="13",
number="5",
pages="163-165",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: Flight following is a key component of an air medical transport service's safety program. National standards require conscientious adherence to flight following. EastCare monitored its compliance with internal flight-following requirements for three years. SETTING: EastCare is a single-helicopter, hospital-based air medical transport service located in a rural region of the southeastern United States. It has a full-time staff of flight nurses, pilots and communications specialists. METHODS: A continuous quality improvement (CQI) process was initiated to delineate specific areas requiring improvement. These areas were discussed at the air medical service's monthly CQI meetings. RESULTS: In 1989, the communications specialists achieved flight following intervals of < or = 15 minutes in 98% of attempts. In 1990 and 1991, the frequency of flight-following intervals of < or = 15 minutes were 98.8% and 99.6%, respectively. The CQI process pointed out educational requirements, technological problems and other areas for improvement. CONCLUSION: The use of a structured CQI process for this service directly contributed to consistently strong compliance in the frequency of flight following.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1067-991X",
doi="10.1016/S1067-991X(05)80107-5",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1067-991X(05)80107-5"
}