The continuing angina monologs.....

[Guest guest]

While the evidence for HEMS is scant, it is virtually non-existent for

interfacility helicopter transport. My whole entry into this fray was when

my administrator at Baylor-Waxahachie wanted to decreased CareFlite usage

(the hospital was billed for all patients that was taken from our facility

to Parkland by CareFlite). We set up a CCT program and truck with ETMC-EMS

and we decreased helicopter usage by 75% with no negative outcomes. The only

thing we could not budge was neonatal HEMS use as that was controlled by the

receiving hospital. Interestingly, a case can be made for insertion/delivery

of neonatal reams to rural hospitals by HEMS. But, a case cannot be made for

transport. I see no problem with a helicopter taking a neonatal team to a

hospital and leaving them (they stay for eons anyway). When they are finally

ready to go, call the ground ambulance-after all, the baby should be stable.

And, now for the next angina monolog...

E. Bledsoe, DO, FACEP

Midlothian, Texas

Mark Your Calendars!

EMStock 2008

September 25-28, 2008

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