Block that PUNT (and panel)

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This discussion has taken a more positive turn the last few days - one that is far more worthy than that previously. 

I don't see how anyone can prevent you from forming this panel. All they can do is decide whether or not to participate in this process, and whether or not to recognize / adopt any recommendations that this panel might develop.

You need to get together sufficient people with broad based representation. You need people with extensive experience in helicopter EMS, as well as people who are strong critics of these programs. I believe that some international representation and perspective would be of value. There can be no sacred cows - you need to dispassionately examine the best available evidence, while acknowledging that much of the data is of lower quality that you would like. 

This panel must also be multi-disciplinary. Clinicians can only make recommendations regarding when helicopter response / transport is clinically appropriate. You also need aviation people to try and determine minimum acceptable standards for helicopters (eg aircraft type, night vision technology, radar altimeters, TCAS system), as well as for operations (eg minimum acceptable limits for weather). You probably need people from both civilian and military backgrounds.

The legitimacy and relevance of this panel will be determined by its participants. Even those opposed would be reluctant not to be involved if the panel was seen to be highly legitimate - fear of the consequences of excluding themselves and not being involved would become over-riding.  

If this panel can reach a consensus and then distil this into a series of recommendations, it will then be very difficult for these to be ignored. It is almost impossible to defend a clear vested interest in the face of a consensus that almost approaches that entity of a "standard of care".

I sincerely hope that you see fit to establish this panel as soon as possible. If so, we would be delighted to participate in any way you see fit.

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

Steve Walker
Emergency Physician
CareFlight
Sydney Australia



It is with GREAT sadness and frustration, that I have learned and inform  
anyone who wishes to know, tremendous, TREMENDOUS forces have formed to BLOCK  
that Panel which is being proposed to be formed to look at safety standards  ,  
flight criteria,  weather conditions,  charges, and quality  review by the 
regions trauma system.     It is really SAD  that forces in industry, in 
hospitals, and some individuals have put  considerable pressure on local agencies, 
state agencies, federal agencies, and  even individuals to state that a "panel" 
is not needed, that the indirect data  is sufficient, and that deaths have 
occurred in ground ambulance  crashes.      A huge diversionary tactic is being  
orchestrated with as great a focus as either the democratic or republican  
presidential and congressional campaign of 2008.     
 
If this campaign to BLOCK the PANEL is successful or even achieves a DELAY,  
then the next deaths from a preventable helicopter crash, carrying a patient  
that did not need such a transport or even a higher level of care, must be  
attributable to societal lethargy and business strong armed  tactics.     
 
k 

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