RE: transport time (school assignment)

["Twait, Thomas N." <Twait.Thomas@mayo.edu>]

Not every helicopter service has a rooftop helipad that has an elevator
directly to the ED.  One level one trauma center has their "rooftop" on the
top of the parking ramp across the street.  Also needs to take an ambulance
for the trip across the street.  Some landing pads are quite a distance from
the ER.  It has taken me up to 12 minutes from landing to acutely getting
the pt to the ED bedside. (that is the longest)  All RW promote lift to
landing not to ED bedside.
 
So the fact that an ambulance can beat a helicopter is not that far fetched,
and must be taken into play to decided if you go by ground or air.
 
But that should not be the only reason.  Type of aircraft, level of
providers, and what they truly can provide for that pt.  Ex - if times are
equal or a minute less by ground and the pt is bleeding out from a stab
wound to the abd.  A lot of RW do not carry blood.  They may do chest tubes,
sternal IO's, or even tap the heart, but they don't carry blood.  This pt
needs blood and rapid transport.  Something that your local helicopter may
not be able to provide.  I would go by ground although I would have about 3
pages of reporting, a couple of supervisors meetings and a lawyer soon after
me.  But it would still be right for THIS pt in THIS instance.
 
They are more reasons to use a helicopter then to not use one. I just
provided an isolated instance in which our "God-like" RW services would not
be the best choice.
 
Tom Twait, CCEMT-P
Mayo One

-----Original Message-----
From: PrimaNoctes209@cableone.net [mailto:primanoctes209@cableone.net]
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2002 11:30 PM
To: flightmed@flightweb.com
Subject: Re: transport time (school assignment)


Are we to actually believe that if an ambulance and helicopter depart from
the same scene, at the same time, that the ground ambulance will arrive at
the destination 10 minutes sooner?  Did I miss something?  
 
The premise of the debate is flawed from the onset.  In my humble opinion.
 
Eric E. Kincaid, CCEMT-P
Saint Alphonsus-Life Flight
Boise, ID USA
 


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