Air Medical Journal
Volume 28, Issue 6 , Pages 298-302 , November 2009

Lives Saved by Helicopter Emergency Medical Services: An Overview of Literature

  • Akkie N. Ringburg, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Surgery-Traumatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress for correspondence: A. N. Ringburg, MD, PhD, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Department of Surgery-Traumatology, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  • ,
  • Stephen H. Thomas, MD, MPH

      Affiliations

    • Department of Emergency Services, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
  • ,
  • Ewout W. Steyerberg, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • ,
  • Esther M.M. van Lieshout, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Surgery-Traumatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • ,
  • Peter Patka, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Surgery-Traumatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • ,
  • Inger B. Schipper, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Surgery-Traumatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands

References 

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  2. Thomas SH . Helicopter EMS transport outcomes literature: annotated review of articles published 2004-2006 . Prehosp Emerg Care . 2007;11:477–488
  3. Thomas SH , Cheema F , Wedel SK , Thomson D . Trauma helicopter emergency medical services transport: annotated review of selected outcomes-related literature . Prehosp Emerg Care . 2002;6:359–371
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PII: S1067-991X(09)00103-5

doi: 10.1016/j.amj.2009.03.007

Air Medical Journal
Volume 28, Issue 6 , Pages 298-302 , November 2009