The pennsylvania department of highways is investigating the feasibility of using a helicopter as an ambulance, principally for traffic accident victims. The basic premise was that delay in bringing proper medical aid and the accident victim together could be caused by traffic congestion in urban areas and travel distance in rural areas. The study is being conducted in the philadelphia suburban area for a period of one year. A 4-place bell j-2a helicopter modified to carry one litter patient and a medical attendant was leased 14 hours daily from 7 a. M. To 9 p. M. -- the period when the highest percentage of traffic accidents occur. It was equipped with a litter, first-aid kit, oxygen, splints, blankets and sheets, and a pa system. The crew consisted of a state policeman and pilot, both of whom received specail first-aid training. The helicopter ambulance, which carried a police radio, was based at state police substations and responded to requests for emergency service via state police radio or phone. Two patrols were normally made each day during peak traffic hours. The helicopter was also used extensively for police traffic surveillance and criminal work. The crew was dispatched to 128 traffic accidents in which they airlifted victims from 38. In addition, they transported two accident victims from non-traffic emergencies to the hospital. The total time from receipt of alert to delivery of victim to the hospital averaged 20.9 minutes fro the 40 airlifts. Trip time from accident scene to hospital averaged 6.0 minutes. Hospital physicians are preparing special medical reports on each injured person airlifted to determine what effect or benefit, if any, he experienced as a result of the reduced response time. Victim's reactions to being transported by helicopter were highly favorable. In only one instance in 41 did an accident victim refuse to be flown. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting