Impact of introducing a major trauma network on a regional helicopter emergency medicine service in the UK

Abstract

Since the introduction of the West Midlands MTN, tasking of HEMS assets appears to be better targeted to cases involving significant injury, and a reduction in mission cancellations has been observed. There is a need for more detailed evaluation of patient outcomes to identify strategies for optimising the utilisation of HEMS assets within the regional network.

An analysis of patients transported by a private helicopter emergency medical service in South Africa

“…This finding is in line with a number of inter national studies. [5,17,18] Patients involved in motor vehicle collisions may present with time-sensitive pathologies such as traumatic haemorrhage, polytrauma and traumatic brain injury. Cardiac cases (n=37, 6.9%) were the most common non-traumatic incident for both the Netcare 911 HEMS operations.…”

Utilisation of a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for equestrian accidents in a regional major trauma network in the United Kingdom

“…In the year preceding the launch of the regionalised trauma network 152 out of 2040 HEMS activations involved equestrian accidents (7%) with only two patients out of 127 (2%) attended by teams at scene requiring advanced clinical interventions (one conscious sedation with ketamine and one RSI). Despite a reduction in overall HEMS tasking following the launch of the regional trauma network [6] the workload due to equestrian accidents remained consistent and no change in the acuity of cases attended has been observed. Equestrian accidents predominantly occurred in rural locations with the majority of patients subsequently conveyed to hospital by helicopter, leading to long periods during which HEMS resources was not available to respond to other incidents.…”

“…The recent establishment of major trauma networks in the UK has placed great emphasis on the appropriate tasking of HEMS units to cases where added benefit can be provided [6]. The requirement for judicious and appropriate utilisation of valuable resources such as HEMS units is vital to ensure that care is targeted to patients in greatest need.…”

Enhanced care team response to incidents involving major trauma at night: Are helicopters the answer?

“…Patients triaged as having identified or suspected severe traumatic injuries should be transported preferentially to a MTC (bypassing TUs if necessary), if they fall within a 45-min travel window of the MTC. Support for triage decisions is available 24/7 via a Regional Trauma Desk in the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) manned by a specialist trauma paramedic [2].…”