Medical care in the air

Prehospital and interhospital emergency care is moving from the ground to the air, with the realization that such a move will further reduce the morbidity and mortality of the critically ill or injured patient. This move is not without inherent risks, for altitude and take-off further compromise the critical patient. To preclude this risk and improve air ambulance services, Indiana is adopting rules and regulations to govern the operation and administration of air ambulance services. Indiana is the first state to adopt air ambulance standards, although other agencies have established or are attempting to establish similar guidelines.