Spinal Cord Injuries and Helicopter Emergency Medical Services, 6,929 Patients: A Multicenter Analysis.

Objective: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) impacts quality of life for patients and caregivers, generating lifetime costs in the millions. Previous studies show delayed treatment of SCI patients at specialized centers is linked to complicated outcomes and extended hospitalizations. This study characterizes helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) use in SCI and develops a methodology to study large volumes of HEMS electronic medical record data from multiple providers.

Stroke and Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Transports: An Analysis of 25,332 Patients.

Objective: Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) are effective in time-sensitive illnesses, including stroke. Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator is beneficial for ischemic stroke within 4.5 hours of onset.