A literature review of recent articles on helicopter aeromedical services (HEMS) was carried out. The methods used included a Medline search using the key words ‘air ambulance’ and ‘helicopter EMS’. Other sources of information were also obtained from internet web-sites such as www.aams.org, www.info.gov.hk/gfs/performctx.htm and eMedicine.com free online textbook. The results show that HEMS is cost-effective with a good safety record, and it is also evident that in-flight physicians are particularly useful in improving the survival of severely injured patients. Strict criteria to select patients for HEMS operations must be publicised and followed by both callers and the HEMS dispatcher.
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