Maryland Flies More Patients Than Comparable States

EMS board receives report on medevac program

BALTIMORE -- Maryland's Emergency Medical Services Board received a preliminary report Tuesday from the expert panel that examined the state's medevac helicopter program.
 
A final report is not expected until mid-January. After that, the EMS Board will decide on any changes to the medevac program.
 
The panel was convened in response to the fatal crash of a Maryland State Police helicopter in September.
 
Maryland has more helicopters and flies more patients than comparable states or regions with medevac programs, panelists said. But the panel stopped short of recommending that the state cut the size of its fleet or change its guidelines for transporting trauma patients.
 
The number of patients flown to trauma centers has dipped since the crash, partly because of a change in protocol that requires a medical consultation before certain patients are flown.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
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