Each day individuals throughout the state of Pennsylvania find themselves injured in a variety of accidents. These personal injuries vary in severity depending on the accident that causes the injury. One of the most common ways in which these injuries occur is in car accidents. As is the case in any serious injury, for the best outcome, it is important to get medical treatment as quickly as possible.

A recent study supports this contention. Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study indicates that there is a greater chance for survival when a person who sustains serious injuries is transported via helicopter to a trauma center, rather than by an ambulance.

How much greater is that chance? According to the study, the number of people who survive traumatic injuries due to the use of a helicopter compared to the use of an ambulance is between 1 and 2 percent.

Though not backed by research, possible reasons cited for the better result are the speed in which a chopper can travel as well as the personnel who are tending to the patient on the helicopter.

To some, the outcome of the study may seem obvious and therefore unnecessary. It does however serve an arguably important purpose. Transportation via a helicopter is much more expensive than when an ambulance is used. For this reason, in the interest of cost savings, some areas may be inclined to forego the use of a helicopter for an ambulance instead. This study makes it clear that there is a benefit to utilizing air travel in certain situations, when possible.

Source: Reuters, "Trauma patients taken by chopper may fare better," Andrew M. Seaman, April 17, 2012