Cost-effectiveness and quality-of-life analysis of physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical services
Background: The long‐term health outcomes and costs of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) assistance remain uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the cost‐effectiveness of HEMS assistance compared with emergency medical services (EMS). Methods: A prospective cohort study was...
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Published in | British journal of surgery Vol. 96; no. 11; pp. 1365 - 1370 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Chichester, UK
John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
01.11.2009
Wiley |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Background:
The long‐term health outcomes and costs of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) assistance remain uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the cost‐effectiveness of HEMS assistance compared with emergency medical services (EMS).
Methods:
A prospective cohort study was performed at a level I trauma centre. Quality‐of‐life measurements were obtained at 2 years after trauma, using the EuroQol—Five Dimensions (EQ‐5D) as generic measure to determine health status. Health outcomes and costs were combined into costs per quality‐adjusted life year (QALY).
Results:
The study population receiving HEMS assistance was more severely injured than that receiving EMS assistance only. Over the 4‐year study interval, HEMS assistance saved a total of 29 additional lives. No statistically significant differences in quality of life were found between assistance with HEMS or with EMS. Two years after trauma the mean EQ‐5D utility score was 0·70 versus 0·71 respectively. The incremental cost–effectiveness ratio for HEMS versus EMS was €28 327 per QALY. The sensitivity analysis showed a cost‐effectiveness ratio between €16 000 and €62 000.
Conclusion:
In the Netherlands, the costs of HEMS assistance per QALY remain below the acceptance threshold. HEMS should therefore be considered as cost effective. Copyright © 2009 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Helicopter emergency medical services are considered cost‐effective |
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Bibliography: | ArticleID:BJS6720 The Editors have satisfied themselves that all authors have contributed significantly to this publication ark:/67375/WNG-BXFWX3G1-H istex:C94F042F49DA1512B5EA528108A9949CED2D39E6 ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0007-1323 1365-2168 |
DOI: | 10.1002/bjs.6720 |