Medical Transport (EMS)

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The problem:

The air ambulance industry (especially the rotary-wing component) has a high, and arguably unacceptable, mishap rate.

• decision-making errors can often lead to weather-related accidents
• high levels of competition put "need to go" pressures onto crews
• the nature of the missions (24/7/365) contributes to fatigue and burnout
• motivation to save a life can precipitate a series of "let's press" decisions

Our solution:

In conjunction with an experienced EMS Subject Matter Expert (SME), we have adapted our US Navy helicopter system to the EMS domain.

• we are actively looking for an EMS launch customer
• our system would be a useful Safety Management System (SMS) tool
• our analysis team is familiar with rotary-wing operations
• non-aviation (e.g., ground-based) EMS variants could be easily developed

High-level results: 

No EMS results are currently available. However, a review of our Navy helicopter and civilian emergency medicine results seems appropriate.

• flightcrews were comfortable using the system to self-report on various issues
• a US Navy Air Ambulance detachment used the system while overseas
• healthcare providers found the system to be easy (and quick) to use
• Emergency Department leadership indicated the collected info was useful

Examples of information collected:

Please see our "Navy Flightcrews" and "Emergency Medicine" pages for specific examples.

• procedural and decision-making factors
• airborne and on-deck safety issues
• triage issues
• dealing with medical-support issues (scans, labs, etc.)

End-user comments: 

Participant evaluations/surveys have not yet been conducted.