Goldstein, L., et al, (2003). Adopting the pre-hospital index for inter-facility helicopter transport: a proposal. Injury, 34(1):3-11.
Inter-facility helicopter transport is expensive and without a proven benefit in outcome for trauma patients. This study sought to determine the fastest method of rural to urban inter-facility transport. A triage tool was developed to identify patients most in need of rapid transport. The tool was then applied to a retrospective cohort of adults with ISS 12. The results showed that air ambulance was faster than ground transport, with helicopter overall superior to fixed-wing (less than 225 km range). Mortality for PTI<4 was 1.4% versus 22% for PTI 4. This Canadian study was useful but no all that helpful as the distance of 225 km is about 140 miles and probably does not reflect the bulk of aero-medical transport in the United States.
