Medical Helicoptors (Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Provo: fit in, transporting, insurance)

[Aerorick]

Why does metro Salt Lake rely so much on helicoptor airlifts for what often seems to be a case when an ambulance would be just as efficient. I say that based on news stories that have the footage of the "dramatic" liftoff of the injured to a hospital maybe five miles away. And in many of the cases it's reported that the injuries were non-life threatening and that the victim was released that day. Sure in many situations it's can be a matter of life and death but they seem to be used for everything from a heart attact to a broken arm. And people can say it's better safe than sorry. But at $5,000 a pop I wonder if there's something else going on.

[Xofa]

Well, that's an easy one. The flightcrews are bored out of their minds. At least the Ambulance jockeys get to be out and about all night. But not the flightcrews. They get to sit in the hospital/airfield bored to death just waiting for a call. You better believe their gonna pull rank and call "dibs" on each and every call they can get their hands on!

I actually have no idea why they'd be used in the situation you described. And I just wanted to mention that I the utmost respect for both paramedics and flight medics/pilots.

That is all.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by Aerorick

Why does metro Salt Lake rely so much on helicoptor airlifts for what often seems to be a case when an ambulance would be just as efficient. I say that based on news stories that have the footage of the "dramatic" liftoff of the injured to a hospital maybe five miles away. And in many of the cases it's reported that the injuries were non-life threatening and that the victim was released that day. Sure in many situations it's can be a matter of life and death but they seem to be used for everything from a heart attact to a broken arm. And people can say it's better safe than sorry. But at $5,000 a pop I wonder if there's something else going on.

Aerorick,

Can you give some specific examples? Sometimes certain medical conditions are treated in the air so by the time the patient arrives at a trauma center prepared for them they are in much better condition than anticipated. As I understand it, the receiving physician, via the Lifeflight/AirMed nurse and paramedic can initiate treatment done at the receiving hospital, but not necessarily at the transferring hospital.

Also, I don't know which hospitals you are wondering about, but some equipment won't fit in ambulances and some patients are too risky to not have the room to do interventional procedures, if needed.

Finally, it might depend on the SOP of certain hospitals or hospital chains.

Looking forward to more details so more ideas can be suggested. It most likely is a combination of factors including if a ground transport team is able to leave their area for a cross valley or cross county transport, given the probabilty they will be called for a "local" call.

If someone lives in West Valley, for example, and an ambulance from West Valley is transporting a patient to the U. of U., what medic crew will respond, if all other West Valley City crews are deployed or off-shift etc.? How many additional minutes for West Jordan or Salt Lake City or Murray etc. to respond? I'm not sure, I just wonder if this factors in.

MSR

[Aerorick]

I didn't realize I expressed so many opinions with my question. I also have nothing but praise for the EMT's and First Responders in any emergency. Especially for what they get paid. Mtn State's example is quite detailed and informative. But it refers to a trauma case. I was just commenting on what occasionally are situations where it is not a life-threatening injury. Maybe the crews are are bored.

[alexei27]

I have been told that a lot of times they will MediVac people vice using an ambulance because of the terrain near the U of U. Lots of traffic lights and hills to navigate. If its a back injury or something like that...the chopper is a much smoother ride.

[Mtn. States Resident]

:

Originally Posted by Aerorick

Why does metro Salt Lake rely so much on helicoptor airlifts for what often seems to be a case when an ambulance would be just as efficient. I say that based on news stories that have the footage of the "dramatic" liftoff of the injured to a hospital maybe five miles away. And in many of the cases it's reported that the injuries were non-life threatening and that the victim was released that day. Sure in many situations it's can be a matter of life and death but they seem to be used for everything from a heart attact to a broken arm. And people can say it's better safe than sorry. But at $5,000 a pop I wonder if there's something else going on.

Aerorick, on 2/16, also wrote, "I also have nothing but praise for the EMT's and First Responders in any emergency. Especially for what they get paid. Mtn State's example is quite detailed and informative. But it refers to a trauma case."

I agree with you about the respect for all first responders, Aerorick. I posted your first post again because when you say the "new stories that have the footage," ....how often does that really happen? I know it really gets our attention when it does, but if you are saying a scene flight where the flight team lands close to or at an accident location, I'm wondering how often that really happens.

Other interhospital transports happen all the time. The north window of my office is less than a football field away the helicopter pad at a good-sized area hospital. I see and hear air transports 4-6X/day.

So I respectfully disagree with you about my earlier comment being only about a "trauma case." For example, when newborns need life-saving cardiac surgery, they aren't going to be taken by ambulance to PCMC. When a high-risk mom might need all sorts of things before landing at a facility able to care for her complex needs, an ambulance won't be adequate. With Interventional Radiology able to limit the area of a brain damaged by a stroke, I'd sure want anyone I loved in a helicopter headed to a hospital where a stroke team was ready.

I think one factor many don't think about is how many new treatments save everything from limbs, lives etc. The transferring hospital either doesn't have the equipment, specialists and/or other medical support personnel to be able to complete some of these procedures. Time is of the essence.

All I'm suggesting is there are many illnesses, treatments, and different situations that create air transport as the better option for the best outcome. DO I think it may be used too much at $5K? Probably. But, any medical provider will tell you it is better to call for the transport team than wish s/he would have.

No doubt air transport is expensive. Many more air transport programs are going to the "pre-pay" or whatever the term is for each hospital. Pts. pay in advance - similar to insurance.

I think it is one thing to get good footage for the news; I think it is quite another to have certain ages of patients and needs at a hospital where the patient must be moved rapidly for a positive outcome.

I hope that helps.

MSR

P.S. One other thought- - - I'm not sure where in the valley you are referencing, but especially on the east side, lots of flights will be to transport patients outside of the SLC Metro area. The U. keeps a helicopter in Park City and IHC keeps one in Provo. All transports needing to go to the U. or PCMC will fly the same path, even though the patient may have been in a non-SLC metro hospital.

[jennabugs]

I am a RN at the U of U. While I don't work Air Med, I can guess as to why there are alot of flights. SLC is the only "major" city for several hundred miles for many people. If you flip your ATV in nowhereville Wyoming, you will need to come to the U for a Level I trauma center. So that is a big part of it. In other parts of the US, it's more densely populated, and most likely a hospital closer than 100 miles or more that can handle your injuries