By Nigel Duara
Montgomery Advertiser (Alabama)
Copyright 2006 Montgomery Advertiser
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News
A new air ambulance service might have forced Jackson Hospital’s decision to consider changing the level of trauma care it offers.
Air Evac Lifeteam, a medical-helicopter service based in Wetumpka, began transporting seriously injured patients from nearby rural areas to Jackson in August, said Jackson Hospital spokesman Peter Frohmader.
At times, he added, Air Evac helicopters even landed in the parking lot.
“I don’t think there was a dramatic difference in the number of patients we saw,” said Frohmader, who estimated that Jackson receives between 110 and 120 patients per day in its emergency room. However, the injuries to the patients the helicopters brought in were far more serious.
David Gardner, Air Evac’s regional manager, said the patients they transport often are victims of car or motorcycle crashes that result in multisystem trauma, such a head injury with a chest injury, Gardner said.
Air Evac consulted with the hospital in early August, Gardner said, and the ambulance service brought its first patient to Jackson on Aug. 27.
Air Evac pilots and paramedics were made aware of Jackson’s possible limitations for treating multisystem trauma at a meeting Sept. 26 with doctors and administrative personnel, Gardner said, when about five patients had been transported to Jackson. Air Evac has transported a total of 12 patients to Jackson, he estimated.
Gardner said the meeting was held after the hospital had enough information on the types of patient Air Evac was bringing to Jackson.
Gardner said Air Evac paramedics now take information from that meeting into account when deciding what hospitals are best equipped to care for major trauma patients.
Air Evac typically transports patients within 70 miles of its base in Wetumpka and takes them to the nearest and best-equipped hospital. Sometimes victims of multisystem trauma are taken to Birmingham, which adds about 15 or 20 minutes to the transportation time, Gardner said, but UAB Hospital is better suited to treat multisystem trauma victims.
“If (Jackson’s) the ER of the day, we’re calling and giving them a rapid assessment of the patient, and they can decline,” Gardner said.
Gardner said Air Evac then calls whichever hospital isn’t on call that day.
“If we fail on both accounts, we’re heading to Birmingham,” Gardner said.
Jackson Hospital can handle its regular load of patients, Frohmader said, and the decision would not change procedures at the hospital. The hospital still will treat single-system trauma and is not making changes in its personnel or facilities.