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. 2020 Sep;220(3):765-772.
doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.01.056. Epub 2020 Feb 4.

Aeromedical retrieval of trauma patients: Impact of flight path model on estimates of population coverage

K Lorraine Stone  1 , W Andrew Smedley  2 , John Killian  3 , Shannon W Stephens  4 , Russell L Griffin  5 , Daniel B Cox  6 , Jeffrey D Kerby  7 , Jan O Jansen  8
Affiliations

Aeromedical retrieval of trauma patients: Impact of flight path model on estimates of population coverage

K Lorraine Stone et al. Am J Surg. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the impact of different flight path models on the calculated population coverage of aeromedical retrieval systems, using the state of Alabama as a case study.

Methods: Geospatial analysis of U.S. Census Bureau population data using helicopter bases and trauma centers as foci of either circular or elliptical coverage areas.

Results: Circular isochrone models around helicopter bases or trauma centers suggest that the entire population of Alabama could reach a level I or II trauma center within 60 min. Elliptical isochrones, incorporating outbound and inbound flights, suggest that only 78.8% of the population have ready access to level I or II trauma centers.

Conclusion: While all three flight path models described have some validity and utility, simplistic circular flight time isochrones around trauma centers and helicopter bases provide overly optimistic estimates of population coverage. The elliptical model provides a more realistic evaluation.

Keywords: Aeromedical; Helicopter; Isochrone; Population coverage; Trauma.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest Dr. Kerby is the medical director of an EMS agency in Alabama.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Map of Alabama’s trauma system, showing locations of level I and II trauma centers, and helicopter locations.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Typical air medical service provider’s website, showing circular isochrones around helicopter base location.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Map of flight path model 1 - circular isochrones around helicopter base locations.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Map of flight path model 2 - circular isochrones around trauma centers.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
Map of flight path model 3 - elliptical isochrones around pairs of helicopter base locations and trauma centers.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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