Helicopter Transport of Pediatric Trauma Patients in an Urban Emergency Medical Services System: A Critical Analysis

BACKGROUND: Helicopter transport of pediatric trauma patients in an urban Emergency Medical Services system remains controversial. METHODS: A retrospective review of pediatric patients transported by helicopter to a pediatric trauma center in Los Angeles, California, was conducted over a 3-year period. Pediatric patients (age < 15 years) are transported by helicopter if ground transport to a pediatric trauma center would exceed 20 minutes. Emergency Medical Services reports and hospital records were reviewed for key prehospital and outcome indicators. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-nine patients met the study inclusion criteria. The median age was 5 years (range, 0-14 years). The most common mechanisms of injury were falls and automobile versus pedestrian crashes. Eighty-two percent of patients had a Revised Trauma Score > 7. Of the 175 (93%) patients whose hospital records were available, 24 (14%) were intubated in the emergency department, 32 (18%) were admitted to the intensive care unit, and 7 (4%) were taken directly to the operating room. Injury Severity Scores (ISSs) were as follows: ISS 0 to 15, 146 (83%); ISS 16 to 30, 26 (15%); and ISS > 30, 3 (2%). Fifty-seven (33%) patients were discharged home from the emergency department. CONCLUSION: The majority of pediatric trauma patients transported by helicopter in our study sustained minor injuries. A revised policy to better identify pediatric patients who might benefit from helicopter transport appears to be warranted.