ABSTRACT
There are wide variations in the type of aeromedical transportation services operating around the world, but several major categories have emerged. One of the most common is the hospital-based helicopter system, which serves to transport patients from outlying referral centers to the base hospital or other facilities as dictated by patient needs. The majority of these services also function as advanced life support (ALS) providers and respond to calls from prehospital EMS personnel for assistance. Flight programs are often based in academic medical centers or tertiary care facilities, and may be sponsored by a consortium of institutions. While the service may be sponsored by a hospital, the hospital may not own the aircraft. Aviation equipment, pilots, and mechanics are often leased from vendors familiar with the needs of air medical services.
