Comparative Study on the Outcome of Stroke Patients Transferred by Doctor Helicopters and Ground Ambulances in South Korea: A Retrospective Controlled Study

Table 2

Discharge and death rate.

	HEMS	GEMS	value
Discharge, n (%)	25 (96.2)	104 (83.2)	<0.001
Hopeless discharge, n (%)	0 (0)	1 (0.8)	0.608
Deaths after 24 hours, n (%)	1 (3.8)	21 (16.8)	<0.007
Deaths within 24 hours, n (%)	0 (0)	0 (0)	—
Patients transports (operation cost per transport) (USD)	$3,504	$262	—
Cost of hospitalization (USD)	$10,007 ± $12,965	$10,141 ± $11,842	0.978
Survival rate (%)	96.2	83.2	<0.001

HEMS: helicopter emergency medical services; GEMS: ground emergency medical services. Current exchange rate: $1 = 1,141 Korean won.