Background

In a recent Danish study survival among critically ill patients treated and transported by helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) was compared with treatment and transportation by ground emergency medical service. The study demonstrated increased survival among patients treated and transported by the HEMS. lncreased survival may be at the expense of a reduced work capacity and an inability to retain to pre-event employment status. This could pose a considerable financial burden to the society.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to compare long-term effects of treatment and transportation by HEMS versus GEMS focusing on return to work and hospital and primary care costs.

Method

It is a register-based study using data from Danish national registers.

Cooperation

The study is national including each of the five Danish regions. By studying effects of the prehospital care on patient course and outcome, the study meets the research objectives set by the Danish Air Ambulance foundation.