ABSTRACT

Policies and protocols must reflect all aspects of aeromedical transportation, and should be designed for medical, aviation, communication, personnel, and financial aspects of the operation. Defining essential elements offers both the contracting organization and the medical director a clear understanding of performance expectations. Informal agreements made with administration may disappear as personnel change, or in response to evolving perceptions or priorities within the sponsoring organization. In addition, the decisions and opinions of the medical director may not always be popular. The medical director of an aeromedical service who wishes to avoid conflict and confusion in fulfilling his duties must therefore have his role and terms of reference clarified in writing. Aeromedical services should seek to develop and maintain good professional relationships with all prehospital care agencies within their service area. Good relations between aeromedical programs and hospital staff are also essential.