Geriatric air medical transport: A program review

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to descriptively review the air medical transport of geriatric patients within the provincial air medical program of Nova Scotia. Methods: This study was based on a retrospective review of charts from March 14, 1996, to February 24, 1998, and included patients 65 years or older transported by air ambulance. All trauma and nontrauma missions were included in the program's adult services component (more than 15 years old). The total population served is approximately 1 million. Results: Fifty-nine geriatric patients were transported from a total of 175 adult missions during the study period, representing 33.7% of the adult services total. Nontrauma missions numbered 48 (81.3%), with the remainder (11, 18.6%) being trauma. Overall mortality in our study cohort was 32.2%. Conclusion: Air medical transport usually is associated with trauma transport of the younger patient. This program review demonstrates that one-third of adult air medical transports in this province are for patients older than 65 who are critically ill, though often with nontrauma conditions, and are associated with a high mortality rate. Air medical transport programs should have strategies, education, and protocols that reflect the unique pathophysiology of the elderly.