PENNSYLVANIA - HELICOPTER AMBULANCE STUDY - FINAL REPORT

• NCJ Number: 15085
• Author(s): R R COLEMAN
• Date Published: 1969
• Length: 227 pages
• Grant Number(s): NI-71-014
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Admin
• Corporate Author: Copter's Incorporated
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: CO-SPONSORED BY PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS

Annotation

RESULTS OF A STUDY TO DETERMINE HOW EFFECTIVE A HELICOPTER AMBULANCE COULD BE IN INCREASING THE CHANCES OF SURVIVAL OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS.

Abstract

A TOTAL OF 49 EMERGENCY AIRLIFTS WERE COMPLETED DURING THE STUDY YEAR. A MEDICAL REVIEW INDICATED THAT TWO LIVES WERE PROBABLY SAVED BECAUSE OF RAPID TRANSPORT TO THE HOSPITAL. ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS WAS BRINGING THE NUMBER OF REQUESTS FOR SERVICE UP TO A COST EFFECTIVE LEVEL. THE COMPETITION BETWEEN THE HELICOPTER AND LOCAL AMBULANCE CLUBS AROSE FROM LONG-STANDING ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN THE HOSPITALS AND THE AMBULANCE CLUBS. THE HELICOPTER WAS IMPRESSIVE IN ITS REDUCTION OF RESPONSE TIME, BUT ITS FACILITIES WERE JUDGED INFERIOR TO THOSE OF AMBULANCE CARS. THE HELICOPTER THAT WAS TESTED WAS A BELL MODEL J-2A.