EMS Helicopter Activation
Helicopter-based emergency medical services (HEMS) evolved from rudimentary transportation-only services to advanced, critical-care capable units offering some of the most advanced prehospital care. HEMS offers many benefits, including expeditiously accessing rural or remote locations, providing multiple advanced crew configurations, and intervening when ground-based units are unavailable. However, HEMS utilization must be weighed against the disadvantages of rotor-wing flight, including the inherent risk of crashes that result in subsequent injuries or deaths to crew members or patients. Other considerations for HEMS use include changes in physiology associated with flight, cost, and limited resource expenditure. Given the risks and benefits of HEMS, certain guidelines should be considered to determine the need for HEMS response. Establishing the indications and contraindications for HEMS can greatly reduce the stress of requesting providers during stressful patient encounters. As always, guidelines should be used with clinical judgment case-by-case basis.
