Field Triage for On-Scene Helicopter Transport.

Publication/Presentation Date

11-1-1986

Abstract

This prospective study evaluated the use of basic vital signs, two mechanisms of injury, and time-distance factors as field triage criteria for on-scene helicopter transport of 130 patients to a trauma center serving a rural area. The vital signs criteria included any one or more of the following: level of consciousness (LOC) less than or equal to unresponsive to verbal stimulation; respiration rate (RR) less than or equal to 10 or greater than or equal to 30; systolic blood pressure (BP) less than or equal to 90; pulse (P) less than or equal to 60 or greater than or equal to 120. The flight crew recorded vital signs taken by the first responder capable of basic assessment. Entrapment and associated fatalities in motor vehicular accidents were recorded and flight logistics were examined. The presence of one or more abnormal signs identified a group of seriously injured trauma patients (mean Injury Severity Score = 29.1) with 24% mortality compared to a predicted mortality of 32% (p less than 0.02). Unresponsiveness to verbal stimulation in the field was the single most predictive criterion, yielding sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 85%. Time-distance criteria were helpful to determine helicopter use.

Volume

26

Issue

11

First Page

963

Last Page

969

ISSN

0022-5282

Disciplines

Other Medical Specialties | Surgery

PubMedID

3783787

Department(s)

Department of Surgery, Department of Surgery Faculty

Document Type

Article

Funder

Supported in part by the Dorothy Rider Pool Health Care Trust

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