Oct 25, 2008 8:56 am US/Eastern
Md. EMS Approves Panel To Weigh Medevac Procedures
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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The guidelines for making the decision to transport a trauma victim by helicopter are now going under the microscope.
It was just weeks ago when the decision to fly ended in tragedy after a medical helicopter crashed killing all on board, expect for one.
Kelly McPherson reports the guidelines for making that decision are now going under the microscope.
Patients treated at a trauma center are more likely to survive, but you can't send every patient in a chopper to Shock Trauma. Resources need to be used wisely.
Now there's an additional step to fine-tune that decision process.
Last month's Medevac crash killed four people and seriously injured another. It was the first time a patient has died in the history of Medevac, and it's caused a firestorm of scrutiny.
There are clear guidelines to decide if a patient should come to a trauma center, but it's not clear if they should come in an ambulance or if they should come in by helicopter.
"Nothing in terms of hard guidelines that determine what's better, air versus ground," said Dr. Bass.
So now there's a panel of experts coming together to examine this system and how to make it easier to decide whether or not to fly.
Cecil County has relied on Medevac, on average, five times a week.
"I don't necessarily agree that there needs to be more guidelines. I think for the safety of the whole system, it's a wonderful thing that they've brought the panel together. There are experts from around the country that are around that are going to be on the panel. I feel that all it can do is make the system better," said Asst. Chief Michael Deckard.
The system has already changed since the September crash. Now, field responders must call the local ER and trauma center to decide on transporting more complicated cases.
Patients are labeled A through D. A is an obvious candidate for trauma and a helicopter. D is a patient who has signs he could be flown to a trauma center if necessary.
"It's very interesting, brief, down to the point explaining the injuries being as graphic as they can, relaying the information to the trauma surgeon. We're their eyes and ears in the field," said Deckard.
They say the consultations do not delay care.
"It's probably a little soon to tell, but we have noticed that there has been a decline in the number of patients flown," said Dr. Bass.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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