Cross-Sectional Investigation of HEMS Activities in Europe: A Feasibility Study

Table 4

Reasons for theoretical benefits over counterfactual GEMS facility as judged by the helicopter-based physician.

Reason for estimated benefit	Frequency; (% of answers); (% of missions^*)
Earlier arrival at scene and earlier start of procedures that, however, would have been performed also by the alternative ground team, though with some delay	32 (27) (52)
Transportation to the same hospital as ground ambulance, but in less time	24 (20) (39)
Therapeutic interventions not otherwise performed	23 (19) (38)
Diagnostic interventions and early diagnosis not otherwise performed	16 (14) (26)
Transportation to a more appropriate hospital, while the ground facility would have gone to another, less appropriate hospital	13 (11) (21)
Correction of potentially harmful interventions poorly performed by personnel at scene	6 (5) (10)
Pure logistic advantages (e.g., rescue in hostile environment, mountain rescue)	4 (3) (7)

^*Answers were not mutually exclusive; that is, more than one reason could be given. Only missions where some degree of benefit was estimated to be present were considered for percentages.