The EMS system in Fort Worth Texas is facing issues of safety and questionable alliances with its air ambulance service. According to this news article, there is speculation over the necessity of calling for a helicopter, when ground transportation would be sufficient, due to a medical director who also works for the air ambulance provider.

The issue is even further stressed with a recent medical helicopter crash in southern Texas that killed two medics and a pilot due to bad weather. What guidelines should be in place to ensure that the use of a medical copter is both appropriate and safe for the crew?

This is just one aspect of the larger issue at hand: are helicopter transports being overused at the expense of the patient's safety? Are EMS providers actually too reliant on air ambulances or are they currently being effectively used?

Edited: 2/7/2008 at 5:18 PM by ForumAdmin