Condolences and Concerns

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Agree with Stephen Walker.
Many years ago in Australia we had a few of these tragic deaths. In most cases the patient did not really need an aircraft.  In one famous case the flight paramedic woke a sleeping child on a farm  to transfer it as it had been sick earlier. All died pilot,crew,mother and baby.
Our reaction in every State was to centralise control of all fixed wing and rotary aircraft (irrespective of the owner/operator of the aircraft as they became contractors) into some form of medical controlled call center.The referring doctor rings them to move everything over any distance by land and air. 
The decisions as to whether to move the patient;where to move the patient and how to move the patient is made live and on the spot by a Medical Specialist usually an Emergency Physician or Critical care Specialist.
So far no problems since.
 
Phil Kay
 
Dr Phillip Kay 
MB BS (Qld) Dip.RACOG FRACGP FACEM FIFEM
Director of Emergency Medicine
Princess Alexandra Hospital
Ipswich Road
WOOLLOONGABBA  QLD  4102
Telephone:  61 7 3240 7513
Email:  phillip_kay at health.qld.gov.au


>>> <walkersteveandally at bigpond.com> 27/09/2009 11:18 am >>>
Ken

With all due respect, the underlying problems with the US airmedical system are fairly clear and are accepted by many here. The solution is equally clear - a degree more regulation and adherence to higher operating standards. It is that simple. As you suggest, what is lacking is the will to bring about these changes.

Until such time as this will is found, you will continue to experience tragic "accidents" such as this. 

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

Condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the crew.

Steve Walker
Sydney 
Australia




First, we again are saddened that three members of the US Health 
infrastructure were killed last night in a helicopter crash, at night and going on a 
mission during adverse weather conditions (alledgedly) which were not 
ideal.. The mission might not have required a transfer at night, much less 
one by an air ambulance. Our condolences are extended to friends and 
family. 

My friends on this web site. I continue to be saddened and puzzled as to 
why this continuing loss of life has not been more throughly investigated 
and reversed. Last year was one of the deadliest years ever in the air 
ambulance industry. By my own crude and by far incomplete analysis, most 
of these flights were under marginal flight conditions, for missions which 
very often did not really require a transfer, or if transport to a higher 
center was needed, it could have gone by ground transport means, or during 
daylight or less adverse conditions. 

I was sorely disappointed in the meager report earlier this year by the 
NTSB regarding air ambulance safety. It could have and should have 
addressed many items which are well known to members of this list server. 

We have a duty to continue to ask the question as to what motivates air 
ambulance transport. Certainly it is not time. Outcome advantage has not 
been established. Transplant recovery is actually less with air 
ambulance transport than ground. In many helicopter systems, as many as 75% of 
the patients transported at great cost and risk, are dismissed within 24 of 
the flight. We also continue to see un necessary flights in order to 
compete for business in areas with far too many duplicate services. 

Just who and what organization is going to blow the whistle on this 
continuing and most often unnecessary loss of life and excessive expense? The 
Trauma Community - They are silent. The industry itself - of course not. 
The EMS community - Nope. Government - They had their chance and gave 
a weak and one sided report. The courts - I am not aware as to what has 
happened there. 

k 


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