Previous pediatric studies have shown that 1) air transport has shown improved outcomes compared to matched ground transports but 2) air transport may be overutilized.
This was a multicenter retrospective study using the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network Registry from 2012-2021 looking at pediatric patients transported to the ED by helicopter. This registry does not differentiate between field transports and interfacility transfers. The study looked to identify patients who were discharged from the ED or had a hospital stay < 48 hours. 7722 patients were included with a median age of 5.9 years. 20% of these patients were discharged from the ED. Among those admitted, over half were discharged within 48 hours. Patients who were discharged from the ED were found to have triage < ESI 1, missing a systolic blood pressure or temperature. Tachycardia, tachypnea, hypertension and abnormal temperature were associated with a lower rate of ED discharge.
Bottom line: Additional research is needed to identify patients who may be more appropriate for ground transport or when transport is not needed (or could be replaced with telemedicine).
References
Naik V, Bhardwaj P, Ramgopal S. Rapid Discharge Following Air Transport in Children. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2025 Jul 23:1-8. doi: 10.1080/10903127.2025.2531074. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40643375.
