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Tue Jul 1 20:13:26 BST 2008

I totally agree with David's points.  In New England, the 6 air medical
programs have formed a loose association, the North East Air Alliance
(NEAA).  We pointedly do NOT compete with each other, we pro-actively
notify each other of missions turned down for weather (to minimize
"weather shopping") and meet regularly to promote safety and
cooperation.  In Massachusetts we are licensed as emergency ambulances,
so we likewise are not allowed to turn down requests.  We do 100% chart
review for appropriateness and good medical care and provide 100%
feedback to referring agencies and hospitals.  We find that a minority
of calls are "inappropriate".

However, I do agree with Dr. M, urban, short flight time calls are
rarely appropriate or necessary.

Marc

Marc C. Restuccia
Medical Director 
Life Flight/MDAccess/Worcester EMS
508-421-1468
restuccm at ummhc.org

-----Original Message-----
From: trauma-list-bounces at trauma.org
[mailto:trauma-list-bounces at trauma.org] On Behalf Of Summers, David
Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 2:36 PM
To: Trauma &amp; Critical Care mailing list
Subject: RE: med copters collide

Within our service area, most of the helicopter transport programs do
not have the ability or authority to refuse (or scene-downgrade) a
requested transport (once on-scene) due to someone's patient assessment,
re-assessment or lack of an adequate initial assessment without stepping
into a mess.

The best approach I have found is to look at your own data specific for
the EMS ground services who actually called the request for transport.
The next step is to share that department-specific data with that agency
and offer utilization training to the department. IE: What constitutes a
trauma alert, best transport practices/utilization for the medical
patient, etc.

The right patient, to the right facility, using the best method!

Play Safe,

D

David A. Summers RN, CFRN, EMT-P
Pediatric Trauma Nurse Coordinator
St. Mary's Trauma Center
901 45th Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
561-882-6429 - Office
561-881-0945 - Secured Fax
david.summers at tenethealth.com  

-----Original Message-----
From: trauma-list-bounces at trauma.org
[mailto:trauma-list-bounces at trauma.org] On Behalf Of Andrew J Bowman
Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 2:11 PM
To: Trauma &amp; Critical Care mailing list
Subject: Re: med copters collide

So, start refusing calls. There is no law (I do not think) that says you

have to take every flight especially if the facts presented do not
warrant air transport.

Andrew

 I'm sick
> of my flight crew being called out in all kinds of weather for 
> uninjured, intoxicated patients. For times when the ground crew is
about
> to go off shift and don't want to drive the hour round trip. For a dog

> bite to the foot. And it goes on and on and on.

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med copters collide