Changes in the helicopter medical service system of L'Aquila (Italy), after the fatal helicopter crash on Monte Cefalone (January 24, 2017). A retrospective study.

Introduction: The use of helicopter emergency medical services is useful for rescuing or transporting highly time-dependent disease patients, from urban remote areas or harsh environments in the hospital, providing advanced pre-hospital life support in an emergency setting.

Study Objective: This study aims to identify changes in mission characteristics, crew composition, and operational procedures within the helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) system of L'Aquila, Italy, to identify operational patterns, mission characteristics, crew composition and patient outcomes over time, with specific attention to changes implemented after the Monte Cefalone incident.

Methods: Changes in the characteristics of the rescued patients, the helicopter missions, the crew members and the type of interventions were analysed.