An exploration of the use of air ambulance in disasters: An international view

 

By

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This research became possible only because of support from my research supervisor and my loved ones. Hence, I would like to say thanks for their support.

DECLARATION

This research is my own work and does not represent the ideas of the university. This project belongs to me and only me.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background1

Problem statement1

Research aims and objectives1

Research questions2

Significance2

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW4

Ambulance Research4

Overview of Air Ambulance Services5

History9

Classification of Health Care Facilities11

Air Ambulance Standards11

Air Ambulance is Better than Ground12

Air Ambulance is not better than Ground Ambulance14

Do Time and Transport Matter?16

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY18

Mixed Research18

Steps in mixed methodology18

Strength and weakness of the mixed research19

Strengths19

Weaknesses20

Instrument for data collection20

Population20

Sample20

Data analysis21

CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION22

Describe the importance of air ambulance in disasters22

Advantages and disadvantages of using air ambulance in disasters23

Effectiveness of air ambulance24

Cost of air ambulance26

Questionnaire analysis29

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION37

REFERENCES41

APPENDICES45

Questionnaire45

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

 

Background

Nowadays there is an increasing trend of using air ambulances for emergency. Air ambulances are fast as compared to ground ambulances. Using air ambulance can save many precious lives. Through this research, the effectiveness of this air ambulance would be studied.

 

Problem statement

The increasing number of air ambulance programs globally has been subjected to a careful examination especially in the face a rising air ambulance accident rate. Fatalities due to motor vehicle crashes (MVC's) are considered as of upmost concern. The goal of most pre-hospital services (either ground or air transport) is to provide rapid transport and appropriate medical care. Most emergency ground transport has been proven ineffective, particularly for trauma patients for whom the “golden hour” is critical. That is, the chances of survival are much greater if trauma victims are treated within 60 minutes. Highway accidents are considered the number one cause of trauma victims. “Motor vehicle-related injuries kill more children and young adults than any other single cause in the United States. The global rise in number of vehicles, increase in road networks, and growth in the middle-aged population are societal and institutional developmental factors that influence the need for instituting air ambulance programs (Beach 2001 12).

 

Research aims and objectives

The researcher aims to study the use of air ambulance in disasters. the researcher has broken the aim into following objectives

Explain the role of air ambulance as emergency medical service

Describe the importance of air ambulance in disasters

Show some important international facts about the effectiveness of air ambulance

Discus the advantages and disadvantages of air ambulance

Show how much this service is costing to be established

Explain the quality of care that air ambulance provide

Describe the requirements of air ambulance services

 

Research questions

The researcher will address the following research questions

What is history of air ambulance?

Is it an effective service to provide health care?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using air ambulance in disasters?

Who is funding air ambulance? Does it deserves funding or not?

 

Significance

Providing air ambulance services to a certain population requires careful examination and analysis. Any aviation service is usually expensive to run and maintain. The construction of modern highways between cities and countries has created a high ...