Sunday, November 30, 2008; Page C04
Fewer Medevac Helicopters Suggested Fatal Crash Brings Review of Maryland Service
A panel of national experts convened to examine Maryland's air ambulance system after a deadly crash in September in Prince George's County has recommended a review of the state's helicopter needs that could shrink the state police fleet. The panel also said the fleet should seek a national accreditation that would require helicopters be flown with two paramedics instead of one, as is standard practice in Maryland.
The experts' wide-ranging recommendations could result in fewer helicopter flights as state managers reevaluate whether Maryland patients are "overtriaged" and flown unnecessarily. Maryland operates the country's only publicly run medical helicopter system.
The Maryland State Police operate 11 helicopters that log more than 4,000 flights annually. A 12th helicopter was destroyed in the Sept. 27 crash in Prince George's, which killed three rescue workers and a patient who were flying from a traffic accident in Charles County.
Responding to the recommendations, one state police major said he believes that service would be diminished with fewer helicopters.
Fewer Medevac Helicopters Suggested Fatal Crash Brings Review of Maryland Service
A panel of national experts convened to examine Maryland's air ambulance system after a deadly crash in September in Prince George's County has recommended a review of the state's helicopter needs that could shrink the state police fleet. The panel also said the fleet should seek a national accreditation that would require helicopters be flown with two paramedics instead of one, as is standard practice in Maryland.
The experts' wide-ranging recommendations could result in fewer helicopter flights as state managers reevaluate whether Maryland patients are "overtriaged" and flown unnecessarily. Maryland operates the country's only publicly run medical helicopter system.
The Maryland State Police operate 11 helicopters that log more than 4,000 flights annually. A 12th helicopter was destroyed in the Sept. 27 crash in Prince George's, which killed three rescue workers and a patient who were flying from a traffic accident in Charles County.
Responding to the recommendations, one state police major said he believes that service would be diminished with fewer helicopters.
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