Helicopter EMS Transport Outcomes Literature: Annotated Review of Articles Published 2012-2013

Helicopter EMS (HEMS) and its possible association with patient-oriented outcomes improvement continues to be a subject of discussion. As is the case with other scientific discourse, debate over HEMS usefulness should be framed around an evidence-based assessment of the relevant literature. In an effort to facilitate the academic pursuit of assessment of HEMS utility, in late 2000 the National Association of EMS Physicians’ (NAEMSP) Air Medical Task Force prepared annotated bibliographies of the HEMS-related outcomes literature. As a result of that work, review articles covering HEMS outcomes studies from 1980-2000, for both non trauma and trauma, were published in 2002. The project was extended with subsequent reviews covering the literature through 2011. This review continues the series, outlining outcomes-associated HEMS literature for 2012-2013.