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PubMed · 10133649

Improved flight following through continuous quality improvement.

N H Benson·R C Hunt·J Tolson·C K Stone·J A Sousa·M J Nimmo
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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Flight following is a key component of an air medical transport service's safety program. National standards require conscientious adherence to flight following. EastCare monitored its compliance with internal flight-following requirements for three years. SETTING: EastCare is a single-helicopter, hospital-based air medical transport service located in a rural region of the southeastern United States. It has a full-time staff of flight nurses, pilots and communications specialists. METHODS: A continuous quality improvement (CQI) process was initiated to delineate specific areas requiring improvement. These areas were discussed at the air medical service's monthly CQI meetings. RESULTS: In 1989, the communications specialists achieved flight following intervals of < or = 15 minutes in 98% of attempts. In 1990 and 1991, the frequency of flight-following intervals of < or = 15 minutes were 98.8% and 99.6%, respectively. The CQI process pointed out educational requirements, technological problems and other areas for improvement. CONCLUSION: The use of a structured CQI process for this service directly contributed to consistently strong compliance in the frequency of flight following.

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Air AmbulancesData CollectionEmergency Service, HospitalHospitals, RuralNorth CarolinaSafety ManagementTotal Quality ManagementJournal Article

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N H Benson, R C Hunt, J Tolson, C K Stone, J A Sousa, M J Nimmo. 1994. Improved flight following through continuous quality improvement.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1067-991x(05)80107-5

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