• K S Funder, L S Rasmussen, R Hesselfeldt, V Siersma, N Lohse, A Sonne, S Wulffeld, and J Steinmetz.
• Department of Anaesthesia, Centre of Head and Orthopaedics 4231, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
• Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2017 Jan 1; 61 (1): 111-120.

BackgroundImplementation of a physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical service (PS-HEMS) in Denmark was associated with lower 30-day mortality in severely injured trauma patients and less time on social subsidy. However, the reduced 30-day mortality in severely injured patients might be at the expense of a worse functional outcome and quality of life (QoL) in those who survive. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a physician-staffed helicopter on long-term QoL in trauma patients.MethodsProspective, observational study including trauma patients who survived at least 3 years after injury. A 5-month period prior to PS-HEMS implementation was compared with the first 12 months after PS-HEMS implementation. QoL was assessed 4.5 years after trauma by the SF-36 questionnaire. Primary endpoint was the Physical Component Summary score.ResultsOf the 1994 patients assessed by a trauma team, 1521 were eligible for inclusion in the study. Of these, 566 (37%) gave consent to participate and received a questionnaire by mail, and 402 (71%) of them returned the questionnaire (n = 114 before PS-HEMS; n = 288 after PS-HEMS implementation). Older patients, women and patients with trauma in the after PS-HEMS period were more likely to return the questionnaire. No significant association between QoL and period (before vs. after PS-HEMS) was found; the Physical Component Summary scores were 50.0 and 50.9 in the before and after PS-HEMS periods, respectively (P = 0.47). We also found no difference on multivariable analysis with adjustment for sex, age and injury severity score.ConclusionNo significant difference in QoL among trauma patients was found after implementation of a PS-HEMS.© 2016 The Authors. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation.

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