When to Call

Patients with any of the following findings:

  • Penetrating trauma to the abdomen, pelvis, chest, neck, or head
  • Spinal cord or spinal column injury, or any injury producing paralysis of an extremity.
  • Partial or total amputation of an extremity.
  • Two or more long bone fractures or a major pelvic fracture.
  • Crushing injury to abdomen, chest or head

Mechanism of Injury

  • Vehicle rollover with unrestrained passengers.
  • Pedestrian Struck at > 10 miles per hour
  • Falls from > 15 feet
  • Motorcycle Victims

Time/Distance Factors

Transport time to appropriate receiving hospital by ground > transport time by helicopter.

Burns

Major burns of large surface area; burns involving face, hands, feet, or perineum; burns with respiratory involvement; major electrical burns; chemical burns.

Adult patients with any of the following abnormalities:

  • Systolic BP < 90
  • Respiratory rate < 10 or > 35/minute
  • Heart rate < 60 or > 120/minute
  • Unresponsive to verbal stimuli
  • Cardiac, medical, neurological and surgical emergencies