Cost-effectiveness and quality-of-life analysis of physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical services.

نویسندگان

  • A N Ringburg
  • S Polinder
  • T J Meulman
  • E W Steyerberg
  • E M M van Lieshout
  • P Patka
  • E F van Beeck
  • I B Schipper
چکیده

BACKGROUND The long-term health outcomes and costs of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) assistance remain uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of HEMS assistance compared with emergency medical services (EMS). METHODS A prospective cohort study was performed at a level I trauma centre. Quality-of-life measurements were obtained at 2 years after trauma, using the EuroQol-Five Dimensions (EQ-5D) as generic measure to determine health status. Health outcomes and costs were combined into costs per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). RESULTS The study population receiving HEMS assistance was more severely injured than that receiving EMS assistance only. Over the 4-year study interval, HEMS assistance saved a total of 29 additional lives. No statistically significant differences in quality of life were found between assistance with HEMS or with EMS. Two years after trauma the mean EQ-5D utility score was 0.70 versus 0.71 respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for HEMS versus EMS was 28,327 Euro per QALY. The sensitivity analysis showed a cost-effectiveness ratio between 16,000 and 62,000 Euro. CONCLUSION In the Netherlands, the costs of HEMS assistance per QALY remain below the acceptance threshold. HEMS should therefore be considered as cost effective.

برای دانلود متن کامل این مقاله و بیش از 32 میلیون مقاله دیگر ابتدا ثبت نام کنید

ثبت نام

اگر عضو سایت هستید لطفا وارد حساب کاربری خود شوید

منابع مشابه

Survival benefit of physician-staffed Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) assistance for severely injured patients.

BACKGROUND Physician-staffed Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) provide specialist medical care to the accident scene and aim to improve survival of severely injured patients. Previous studies were often underpowered and showed heterogeneous results, leaving the subject at debate. The aim of this retrospective, adequately powered, observational study was to determine the effect of phy...

متن کامل

Impact of critical careYtrained flight paramedics on casualty survival during helicopter evacuation in the current war in Afghanistan

BACKGROUND: The US Army pioneered medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) by helicopter, yet its system remains essentially unchanged since the Vietnam era. Care is provided by a single combat medic credentialed at the Emergency Medical Technician Y Basic level. Treatment protocols, documentation, medical direction, and quality improvement processes are not standardized and vary significantly across US Ar...

متن کامل

Impact of critical care-trained flight paramedics on casualty survival during helicopter evacuation in the current war in Afghanistan.

BACKGROUND The US Army pioneered medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) by helicopter, yet its system remains essentially unchanged since the Vietnam era. Care is provided by a single combat medic credentialed at the Emergency Medical Technician - Basic level. Treatment protocols, documentation, medical direction, and quality improvement processes are not standardized and vary significantly across US Arm...

متن کامل

A helicopter emergency medical service may allow faster access to highly specialised care.

INTRODUCTION Centralization of the hospital system entails longer transport for some patients. A physician-staffed helicopter may provide effective triage, advanced management and fast transport to highly specialized treatment for time-critical patients. The aim of this study was to describe activity and possible beneficial effect of a physician-staffed helicopter in a one-year trial period in ...

متن کامل

Cost-effectiveness of helicopter versus ground emergency medical services for trauma scene transport in the United States.

STUDY OBJECTIVE We determine the minimum mortality reduction that helicopter emergency medical services (EMS) should provide relative to ground EMS for the scene transport of trauma victims to offset higher costs, inherent transport risks, and inevitable overtriage of patients with minor injury. METHODS We developed a decision-analytic model to compare the costs and outcomes of helicopter ver...

متن کامل

ذخیره در منابع من


  با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید

برای دانلود متن کامل این مقاله و بیش از 32 میلیون مقاله دیگر ابتدا ثبت نام کنید

ثبت نام

اگر عضو سایت هستید لطفا وارد حساب کاربری خود شوید

عنوان ژورنال:
  • The British journal of surgery

دوره 96 11  شماره 

صفحات  -

تاریخ انتشار 2009