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Factors improving survival in multisystem trauma patients.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Moylan, JA; Fitzpatrick, KT; Beyer, AJ; Georgiade, GS
Published in: Ann Surg
June 1988

This report analyzes the effect of air versus ground interhospital transport on survival following multisystem injury. There were 136 air-transported patients versus 194 ground-transported patients. The groups were similar in trauma scores, ages, mechanism of injury, and organ systems injured. There was a statistically significant survival advantage for air-transported patients with trauma scores between 10 and 5 (82.8% survival vs. 53.5%, p = less than 0.001). The time interval between accident and admission to the authors' institution was similar for both groups. Important therapeutic interventions contributing to better survival by the air-transported group included higher incidences of endotracheal intubation (50% vs. 25%), blood transfusions (32% vs. 10%), larger volumes of electrolyte fluid (3.3 L per patient vs. 2.1 L per patient) as well as the use of MAST trousers (60.3% vs. 34.9%). Transport charges for both ground and air services were similar. However, helicopter charges met only 15% of the operational budget of the aeromedical service. The remainder of the costs were generated from hospital patient revenues. Overall, total hospital charges were similar for both groups and were influenced by the variability of length of stay, particularly for orthopedic patients.

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Published In

Ann Surg

DOI

ISSN

0003-4932

Publication Date

June 1988

Volume

207

Issue

6

Start / End Page

679 / 685

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Transportation of Patients
  • Time Factors
  • Surgery
  • North Carolina
  • Multiple Trauma
  • Humans
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Costs and Cost Analysis
  • Ambulances
  • Aircraft
 

Citation

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Moylan, J. A., Fitzpatrick, K. T., Beyer, A. J., & Georgiade, G. S. (1988). Factors improving survival in multisystem trauma patients. Ann Surg, 207(6), 679–685. https://doi.org/10.1097/00000658-198806000-00006
Moylan, J. A., K. T. Fitzpatrick, A. J. Beyer, and G. S. Georgiade. “Factors improving survival in multisystem trauma patients.Ann Surg 207, no. 6 (June 1988): 679–85. https://doi.org/10.1097/00000658-198806000-00006.
Moylan JA, Fitzpatrick KT, Beyer AJ, Georgiade GS. Factors improving survival in multisystem trauma patients. Ann Surg. 1988 Jun;207(6):679–85.
Moylan, J. A., et al. “Factors improving survival in multisystem trauma patients.Ann Surg, vol. 207, no. 6, June 1988, pp. 679–85. Pubmed, doi:10.1097/00000658-198806000-00006.
Moylan JA, Fitzpatrick KT, Beyer AJ, Georgiade GS. Factors improving survival in multisystem trauma patients. Ann Surg. 1988 Jun;207(6):679–685.

Published In

Ann Surg

DOI

ISSN

0003-4932

Publication Date

June 1988

Volume

207

Issue

6

Start / End Page

679 / 685

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Transportation of Patients
  • Time Factors
  • Surgery
  • North Carolina
  • Multiple Trauma
  • Humans
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Costs and Cost Analysis
  • Ambulances
  • Aircraft