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Evaluation of hospital-based aeromedical transport programs using therapeutic intervention scoring
R E Burney1, K J Rhee, R G Cornell
1Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|June 1, 1988
Summary
Hospital aeromedical transport is increasing, but appropriateness is debated. A study using the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS) found 41.5% of flights were clearly appropriate, suggesting TISS can evaluate program performance.
Area of Science:
- Medical transport
- Healthcare management
- Patient outcomes
Background:
- Hospital-based aeromedical transport programs are experiencing rapid growth nationwide.
- Determining the necessity of aeromedical transport for patients and comparing the performance of different services remain significant challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the appropriateness of hospital-based aeromedical transport.
- To evaluate the performance of aeromedical transport programs using a standardized index.
Main Methods:
- Prospective analysis of 1,081 flights across 5 aeromedical transport programs.
- Utilized the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS) to develop an index of appropriateness.
Main Results:
- An average of 41.5% of flights were deemed clearly appropriate based on TISS scores (99% probability of validation).
- An additional 34.9% of flights had a >50% probability of appropriateness.
- 18-28% of flights had scores indicating only a 20% probability of justification.
Conclusions:
- While TISS scoring post-transfer cannot select individual patients, it offers a simple, useful method for evaluating overall aeromedical program activity.
- A TISS-based index can establish objective standards for comparing and evaluating aeromedical transport services.