When is an anesthesiologist needed in a helicopter emergency medical service in northern Norway?
GROUND: A national air ambulance service, including helicopters and airplanes, was implemented in Norway in 1988. The main intention was to offer advanced medical services when needed. All helicopters are manned by anesthesiologists. Catchment areas for the 11 helicopters span from cities to scarcely populated areas, particularly in the north. Our aim was to assess what proportion of ambulance missions carried out by the rescue helicopter in Bodø, northern Norway, delivered advanced medical treatment needing the skills of an anesthesiologist. METHODS: Flight and ambulance records (n = 2078) from 1988 and 1990-98 (10 years) were analyzed retrospectively. Inter-hospital transfers (n = 147) and search- and rescue missions (n = 332) were not included. According to the level of medical treatment given missions were categorized into three groups (A, B and C). Treatment in groups A and B would not require an anesthesiologist. RESULTS: Two thousand and seventy-eight ambulance missions carried
