Christy L McCowan, Frank Thomas, Eric R Swanson, Stephen Hartsell, Janet Cortez, Sue Day, Diana L Handrahan
INTRODUCTION: This study examined the epidemiology of winter resort injuries presenting to regional trauma centers by helicopter (HEMS) or ground (GEMS) ambulance. METHODS: Five hundred seventy-five patients (GEMS 289; HEMS 286) were identified from trauma registries and HEMS transport records. Demographic data, hospital interventions, and discharge status were examined. RESULTS: HEMS patients had a significantly lower Glasgow coma score (GCS) and trauma score (TS), longer intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), and more deaths than did GEMS patients (P < 0...
January 2006: Air Medical Journal