Thoughts on Air Medical Services

[medic1681]

My question to this group it this. With the increase of air medical services do you notice a decline in qualified personnel for these services. Have you noticed a decline in the orientation process for the services? Have the standards been lowered just to put bodies in aircraft? What do you think the future of Air Medicine will be?

This information will help me with a presentation on Air Medical Services.


Thank you very much

Bill Milan NREMT-P, FP-C

[chbare]

I think we have seen a major increase in the number of HEMS providers and a major increase in the number of patient transports over the past several years. I have also noticed a change from hospital based services and twin engine AC to private services and single engine AC. The bottom line IMHO is profit.

In addition, I have also seen a change in the mission profile of our flights. Less critical patients and patients with non life threatening injuries and problems are being flown on a regular basis.

I cannot comment on the orientation programs for other services; however, when profit is the bottom line, you have to trim the fat somewhere. In addition, I do think some services are looking at providers with far less experience than their counterparts of years passed; however, I am not sure if this has led to a decreased level of care. I can speculate; however, without definitive evidence, it would be opinion. I do not want to throw out my opinion on this subject without additional evidence.

You can find a few heated debates on this very topic on flightweb.com.

Welcome to fieldmedics.

Take care,
chbare.