Quality of life following trauma before and after implementation of a physician‐staffed helicopter

BACKGROUND: Implementation 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. METHODS: Prospective, 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. RESULTS: Of 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. CONCLUSION: No significant difference in QoL among trauma patients was found after implementation of a PS‐HEMS.