Jurnal Internasional Afrika vol. 9 issue 1 2019
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Developing a South African Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Activation Screen (SAHAS): A Delphi study
Dublin Core
Title
Jurnal Internasional Afrika vol. 9 issue 1 2019
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Developing a South African Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Activation Screen (SAHAS): A Delphi study
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Developing a South African Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Activation Screen (SAHAS): A Delphi study
Subject
Helicopter Emergency Medical Services
Air ambulances
Prehospital care
Emergency medical dispatch
Air ambulances
Prehospital care
Emergency medical dispatch
Description
Introduction: Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) are an expensive resource that should be utilised
efficiently to optimise the cost-benefit ratio. This is especially true in resource-limited settings, such as South
Africa. This may be achieved by implementing call-out criteria that are most appropriate to the healthcare
system in which HEMS operate. Currently, there are no published evidence-based HEMS call-out criteria developed
for South Africa. By identifying patients that are most likely to benefit from HEMS, their utilisation can
be enhanced and adjusted to ensure optimal patient outcome. We aimed to systematically utilise expert opinions
to reach consensus on HEMS call-out criteria that are contextual to the South African setting.
Methods: A modified Delphi technique was used to develop call-out criteria, using current literature as the basis
of the study. Purposive, snowball sampling was employed to identify a sample of 118 participants locally and
internationally, of which 42 participated for all three rounds. Using an online survey platform, binary agreement/
disagreement with each criterion was sought. Acceptable consensus was set at 75%. Statements were sent
out in the third round ascertaining whether participants agreed with the analysis of the first two rounds.
Results: After two rounds, consensus was obtained for 63% (36/57) of criteria, while 64% of generated statements
received consensus in the third round. Results emphasised the opinion that HEMS dispatch criteria relating
to patient condition and incident locations were preferential to a comprehensive list. Through collation of
these results and international literature, we present an initial concept for a South African HEMS Activation
Screen (SAHAS), favouring inquiry on a case-by-case basis.
Discussion: The combination of existing literature and participant opinions, established that call-out criteria are
most efficient when based on clinical parameters and geographic considerations, as opposed to a specified list of
criteria. The initial concept of our SAHAS should be investigated further.
efficiently to optimise the cost-benefit ratio. This is especially true in resource-limited settings, such as South
Africa. This may be achieved by implementing call-out criteria that are most appropriate to the healthcare
system in which HEMS operate. Currently, there are no published evidence-based HEMS call-out criteria developed
for South Africa. By identifying patients that are most likely to benefit from HEMS, their utilisation can
be enhanced and adjusted to ensure optimal patient outcome. We aimed to systematically utilise expert opinions
to reach consensus on HEMS call-out criteria that are contextual to the South African setting.
Methods: A modified Delphi technique was used to develop call-out criteria, using current literature as the basis
of the study. Purposive, snowball sampling was employed to identify a sample of 118 participants locally and
internationally, of which 42 participated for all three rounds. Using an online survey platform, binary agreement/
disagreement with each criterion was sought. Acceptable consensus was set at 75%. Statements were sent
out in the third round ascertaining whether participants agreed with the analysis of the first two rounds.
Results: After two rounds, consensus was obtained for 63% (36/57) of criteria, while 64% of generated statements
received consensus in the third round. Results emphasised the opinion that HEMS dispatch criteria relating
to patient condition and incident locations were preferential to a comprehensive list. Through collation of
these results and international literature, we present an initial concept for a South African HEMS Activation
Screen (SAHAS), favouring inquiry on a case-by-case basis.
Discussion: The combination of existing literature and participant opinions, established that call-out criteria are
most efficient when based on clinical parameters and geographic considerations, as opposed to a specified list of
criteria. The initial concept of our SAHAS should be investigated further.
Creator
Diane Laatz, Tyson Welzel, Willem Stassen
Source
www.elsevier.com/locate/afjem
Publisher
AFEM
Date
11 September 2018
Contributor
PERI IRAWAN
Format
PDF
Language
ENGLISH
Type
TEXT
Files
Citation
Diane Laatz, Tyson Welzel, Willem Stassen, “Jurnal Internasional Afrika vol. 9 issue 1 2019
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Developing a South African Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Activation Screen (SAHAS): A Delphi study,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 5, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2373.
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Developing a South African Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Activation Screen (SAHAS): A Delphi study,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 5, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2373.