Air ambulance survival outcomes often beat ground transport for severe trauma. A long-running study highlighted that air ambulance survival improves when patients need rapid, advanced care en route.
What the researchers compared
A 10-year review examined injuries, surgeries, and outcomes for patients brought in by air versus ground. The work involved teams from hospitals and universities in the U.S. and Canada.
Results at a glance
The gap was large. Emergency-room deaths among ground-transported patients totaled 585, compared with 43 for those arriving by air. That difference held even though air patients typically present with more serious injuries.
Why air can improve survival
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In-flight capability: Crews carry ICU-grade monitors, airway tools, and a wider range of medications.
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Expert team: A flight nurse and paramedic treat and reassess continuously.
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Speed to care: Aircraft bypass traffic and distance, shrinking time to definitive treatment.
Cost, risk, and the clinical call
The authors acknowledged cost and safety considerations for helicopter operations. Even so, they concluded that appropriate air transport benefits severely injured patients.
Who benefits most
Rural residents and travelers in regions with limited hospital access stand to gain. When terrain or distance slows ground units, air assets cut transport time and deliver higher-level care sooner.
Bottom line
The evidence points one way: for major trauma, air medical transport can raise the odds of survival. When minutes matter, the right call—and the right aircraft—can change the outcome.