Air Ambulance Utilization Standartd

Helicopter Helicopter

Operational Criteria

• Land ambulance can’t arrive on scene in <30min and Air is faster

• Land ambulance can’t get to LTH in <30 mins and Air ambulance can make it to scene and LTH faster

• Pt needs care that cannot be provided by Land Ambulance

• Multiple pt’s meet criteria and land ambulances are already fully utilized

Medical Criteria

• Shock with hypotension with altered mentation

• Acute stroke with clearly determined time of onset

• Altered LOC <10

• Acute Respiratory distress or failure

• Suspected STEMI or potentially lethal dysrhythmia

• Resuscitation

• Status epilepticus

• Unstable airway or partial airway obstruction

Obstetrical Criteria

• Active labour with abnormal presentation

• Multiple gestation and active labour

• Umbilical cord prolapse

• Significant vaginal bleeding

Scene assessments if air ambulance is appropriate

• That the perceived severity of reported injuries and without confirmation that the clinical criteria has been met

• Pt cannot be reasonably reached by land ambulance (no road access, remote location)

Info to provide ACO

• Operational and medical criteria

• Time to prepare Pt for transport

• Time for extrication

• Time for land ambulance to reach closest hospital

When to delay transport

• If air ambulance can be seen

• Air ambulance is on its final route on scene

What to do while helicopter is on-route

• Transport pt to closest local hospital with trauma unit

• Helicopter will land at said hospital

While on-route to the local hospital, paramedics may rendezvous with the air ambulance if

• Air ambulance is able to land along direct route of ambulance

• It would result in significant reduction time to closest hospital

If Air Ambulance is not required

• Contact CACC/ACS

• Explain why air ambulance is not needed