The Effect of Coronavirus Disease 2019 on Adverse Events in Health Care: A Retrospective Study in Ground and Helicopter Emergency Medical Services.

Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has proven to be a significant hardship for the entire world. Health care systems and their workers have been stretched to their limits. Research regarding whether this increased strain has affected patient safety has not been sufficient, especially in emergency medical services.

Comparing Intubation Success Between Flight Nurses and Flight Paramedics in Helicopter Emergency Medical Services.

Objective: Intubation is a vital skill performed by flight nurses and paramedics. Before flight training, nurses do not routinely intubate and must be trained in proper techniques. Flight paramedics universally train in intubation before flight training and are the primary managers of in-flight airways.

Out-of-pocket payments made by patients transported by Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS).

Objective: Recent news media have reported that Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) programs use the practice of balanced billing, resulting in exorbitant charges not covered by insurance companies and financially burdening patients. To date, no study has described the billing practices of HEMS programs. We look to provide transparent billing practices and average patient payment of one midwestern non-profit HEMS program and report the reimbursement data of both federal and private insurance policies for transports.

Determining a Need for Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Transport.

Objective: Point-of care-ultrasound (PoCUS) is useful in evaluating unstable emergency department patients. The portability of this technology increases its potential use in prehospital settings, including helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) programs. Identifying useful applications may support implementing a PoCUS program that develops sonography skills for prehospital providers.

The Safety and Utility of Ground Transport of Traumatic Cardiopulmonary Arrest Patients by Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Crews.

Objective: Patients suffering from traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest (TCPA) typically demonstrate dismal survival rates. Some helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) systems transport TCPA patients via ground with a referring agency when cardiopulmonary pulmonary resuscitation is in progress. With expanding research on the inherent risk of ground emergency medical services (GEMS) transport with the use of lights and sirens to both crew and the general public, the benefits may not outweigh the risks of transporting these patients by GEMS.

Factors That Contribute to Provider Decision Between Direct and Video Laryngoscopy in a Helicopter Emergency Medical Services System: A Survey.

Objective: In caring for critically ill patients in the prehospital setting, rapid, definitive airway management is a high-risk, crucial procedure. All helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) providers must proficiently and safely perform this procedure. Little information is available about the preference and efficacy of video laryngoscopy (VL) compared with direct laryngoscopy (DL).

Effectiveness of Manual Ventilation in Intubated Helicopter Emergency Services-Transported Trauma Patients.

Background: Helicopter Emergency Medical Services agencies frequently transport intubated patients to definitive care. No evidence exists to determine the type of ventilation in this population. Practice varies amongst programs from bag-valve-mask to mechanical ventilation.

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Utilization.

Background: The decision to utilize HEMS is a complex process that involves many considerations. Professional associations and agencies have published guidelines to assist providers with decision making for the utilization of helicopter transport.

Study Objective: Determine if requests for HEMS align with recently published utilization guidelines.