Short-term and long-term survival in critical patients treated by helicopter emergency medical services in Finland: a registry study of 36 715 patients

Abstract

We found that the rate of mortality after a HEMS team provides critical care is high and remains significantly elevated compared with the normal population for years after the incident. The mortality is dependent on the medical reason for care and the age of the patient. The long-term overmortality should be considered when evaluating the benefit of prehospital critical care in the different patient groups.