tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133703253863123050.post8487758591761515018..comments2024-02-21T03:48:52.674-05:00Comments on Flying Lessons: Following the Money in Air Ambulance ServicesChristine Negronihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15190247339367487575noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133703253863123050.post-50312059578386553032010-10-25T21:37:28.551-04:002010-10-25T21:37:28.551-04:00Christine,
Why would a self-proclaimed expert in ...Christine,<br /><br />Why would a self-proclaimed expert in aviation and safety focus on the "questionable safety record" of one company when this is obviously an industry-wide problem? <br /><br />If the only tool you have is a hammer, then all of your problems begin to resemble a nail. The cost of health care in general is outrageous, not just the aviation EMS industry. Some facilities charge you $2500.00 per night to stay in a critical care bed alone (not to include any treatment, tests, or procedures). Is it your "non-technical perspective" that keeps you from blogging about the other failing aspects of healthcare or just an overall lack of understanding?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133703253863123050.post-88010916344544213972010-10-21T21:10:15.159-04:002010-10-21T21:10:15.159-04:00"Christine Negroni said...
Air ambulances pro..."Christine Negroni said...<br />Air ambulances provide a valuable service, agreed. But your statement, "Most people that require an air ambulance are going to die if they don't get to a hospital within minutes." is just not supported by the facts. The opposite is true. The majority of HEMS flights are inter-hospital transfers, meaning the patient is already at a medical facility."<br /><br />Absolutely untrue!!! Lots of patients immediately need life-saving services that are not available at each and every medical facility. Cardiac cath lab, Stroke team, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, sub-specialized surgeons and the specialized equipment - trauma, vascular plastics, neonatal, pediatric, etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133703253863123050.post-53097705645649674662010-10-17T14:17:32.130-04:002010-10-17T14:17:32.130-04:00Where are you getting your information that the ma...Where are you getting your information that the majority of HEMS is used for transfer? This may be true, MAY, but the majority of those flights might be someone who was taken to a hospital that cannot support the seriousness of their injuries and instead need to be taken to a place such as a level 1 trauma center, or they will die within minutes. I agree that HEMS should only be used for the most critical cases, and that there are instances of misuse. However, it seems that all you want to do is create a sense of fear in the people. 1.25 accidents per year from AEL. Your more likely to die getting in your bathtub than getting transported by AEL.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133703253863123050.post-68614104692080467022010-10-16T22:59:33.540-04:002010-10-16T22:59:33.540-04:00Statistically speaking, HEMS is no more overused t...Statistically speaking, HEMS is no more overused than ground EMS, fire departments or law enforcement. Ground EMS has become more of a taxi than not in many parts of the country.....fire departments waste a needless amount of time doing "lift assists" and responding to other false alarms....and law enforcement in general is used and abused beyond measurement. People needlessly die in these professions as well. <br />Not sure your comparison of the safety record of HEMS to other areas in the aviation industry is a reasonable one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133703253863123050.post-33772679083375724122010-10-16T19:34:10.765-04:002010-10-16T19:34:10.765-04:00Air ambulances provide a valuable service, agreed....Air ambulances provide a valuable service, agreed. But your statement, "Most people that require an air ambulance are going to die if they don't get to a hospital within minutes." is just not supported by the facts. The opposite is true. The majority of HEMS flights are inter-hospital transfers, meaning the patient is already at a medical facility. <br /><br />Because so much of what you do, landing at 3:23 in the morning near power-lines or by a busy highway involves increased risk, it is even more important that only the most critical cases get transported by air. <br /><br />Studies and anecdotal reports indicate that HEMS is overused and that is what makes the industry's appalling safety record even tragic.Christine Negronihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15190247339367487575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133703253863123050.post-63522727206070309492010-10-16T18:57:10.042-04:002010-10-16T18:57:10.042-04:00Hello, It is a tragedy when anyone dies. However,...Hello, It is a tragedy when anyone dies. However, out of the vast numbers of people flown on Air Evac every year they have 1.25 accidents per year. The entire Air Ambulance community, PHI, Vanderbilt, Life Flight etc. etc. etc. there is the poorest safety record in aviation, which mind you is still safer than driving 10 minutes down the road. You hear about these people that call a helicopter for a band-aid call, not needing a helicopter. But, most people that require an air ambulance are going to die if they don't get to a hospital within minutes. Let's look at the twin engine helicopters that you mentioned. Not any safer, most accidents are not due to engine failure. The nature of HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) is generally the most dangerous flying that a pilot can do. People call you and expect you to land in the middle of the woods on this back road at 3:23 in the morning when its pitch black or in an intersection of some busy highway with power lines on every side. You need to pull your head out from where it is and stop looking at the negative side only. Believe me the positives far outweigh the negatives. Ground ambulances have more accidents. Why don't you start writing about that? Stop with your fear mongering smear tactics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133703253863123050.post-42943657100051920712010-10-15T11:31:01.531-04:002010-10-15T11:31:01.531-04:00Thank you for bringing this to light. The general...Thank you for bringing this to light. The general public has no idea about the poor safety record of Air Evac Lifeteam. The public believes that all medical helicopters are the same and do not know the difference between a 1979 Bell 206 with minimal safety equipment and new twin engine, IFR aircraft with the latest NTSB recommendations. Not to mention the minimal experience levels of the medical crews on many Air Evac aircraft.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com