Re: Ground versus air

["PrimaNoctes209" <primanoctes209@home.com>]

Connie, I was unable to find current statistics for EMS helicopter accidents/incidents.  I did several quick searches on the NASA, NTSB and FAA web sites.  Anecdotally, the past several years have been very bad for EMS helicopters in regard to crashes and fatalities.  Several months ago I do recall reading a NASA study regarding helicopter flights.  It made a point to clarify an old saying that 'flying is safer than driving a car.'  Their data suggested that is not true for EMS helicopter flights. 

Your post does raise several questions though.  You stated that the helicopter service was offering a "flat rate" for "all" of your "stable" transports.  Although the helicopter service is offering your facility a flat rate can I assume that this cost will ultimately be passed on to the patient?  Being a small/rural ED I doubt you have the resources to "eat" that cost nor is the helicopter service going to lose money.  

I am sure you are aware the cost difference between a ground ambulance transport and a helicopter transport can be many thousand dollars.  As most health insurance providers will tell you, a helicopter transport needs to be medically necessary.  Exceptions are made when the road is impassable or unsafe do to ice, drifting snow etc., 

The fact that your ambulance service has had a bit of bad luck with loose animals on the roadway does not justify a helicopter transport for every patient that needs to go to a tertiary facility.  I also doubt that most of your patients are willing to pay that money out of their pocket when a ground ambulance transport was more appropriate and their insurance denied the reimbursement.  Many ambulance services do much farther transports than the 75 miles you spoke of.  

My suggestion would be to carry good auto insurance on your ambulances and perhaps install a large cow-catcher on the front.  Seriously, if the ambulance service is concerned with safety during ground transports there are several courses out there that train personnel for emergency driving.  Emergency Vehicle Operations Courses are taught by many law enforcement, EMS and fire departments. 

I hope this helps you.

Sincerely,

Eric E. Kincaid, CCEMTP
Flight Paramedic 
Saint Alphonsus-Life Flight
Boise, ID USA