During a recent investigation regarding a delay in patient care/disposition; the following clarification about requests for aviation has been made by MIEMSS: “If the on-scene or responding crews think the patient can benefit from aviation based on protocols and the (presumed) patient presentation, request to start aviation“. Providers should NOT be requesting to “check on the availability” of aviation. Give SYSCOM what information is available and best guess on category. Providers can always cancel if aviation is not needed upon arrival. This procedure will negate the time delay between asking about availability and then later finding out the helicopter is down due to weather (or whatever reason).
Washington County EMS
Quality Assurance, Quality Improvement