Transport of winter resort injuries to regional trauma centers.

Introduction: This study examined the epidemiology of winter resort injuries presenting to regional trauma centers by helicopter (HEMS) or ground (GEMS) ambulance. Methods: Five hundred seventy-five patients (GEMS 289; HEMS 286) were identified from trauma registries and HEMS transport records. Demographic data, hospital interventions, and discharge status were examined. Results: HEMS patients had a significantly lower Glasgow coma score (GCS) and trauma score (TS), longer intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), and more deaths than did GEMS patients ( P P P Conclusion: HEMS patients had a higher acuity and different injury pattern when compared to GEMS patients. Approximately 24.5% of HEMS patients were discharged home from the ED. This reflects significant overtriage of patients to HEMS. A prospective study examining the initial triage of patients injured at winter resorts would help to determine which subset of patients are best served by HEMS transport.