A novel application to optimize utilization for nonurgent air transfers.

OBJECTIVE Air ambulances provide patients with timely access to referral centers. Nonemergent transfers are planned for efficient aircraft use. This study compares a novel flight planning optimization application to traditional planning methods. METHODS This prospective study compared real-world use of the application to traditional methods in a large air medical system. Each day was randomized to application use or manual methods. Descriptive statistics compared the resulting schedules through ratios of distance flown and cost to minimum distance required. RESULTS Manual methods were used on 33 days to plan 479 requests, yielding 181 flights, 856 flying hours, and 289,627 km flown. Ratios of distance flown and cost were 1.47 km flown and $4.98 per km required. The application was used on 25 days to plan 360 requests, yielding 146 flights, 639 flying hours, and 216,944 km flown. The corresponding ratios were 1.4 km flown and $4.65 per km required. The average distance flown per distance required decreased by 5% (P = .07), and the average cost per average required distance decreased by 7% (P = .03) when using the application. CONCLUSION Prospective, real-world use of the application results in efficiencies when planning nonurgent patient transfers. Additional savings may be possible through further application refinements.