Developing and validating a checklist for assessing the performance of air ambulance services

Hasan Jafari; Roohollah Askari; Razieh Montazeralfaraj; Saeed Reza Pahlavanpoor; Zahra Alsadat Kalantarzadeh

doi:10.18502/fem.v6i3.9394

Hasan Jafari Health Policy and Management Research Center, Department of Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Roohollah Askari Health Policy and Management Research Center, Department of Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Razieh Montazeralfaraj Health Policy and Management Research Center, Department of Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Saeed Reza Pahlavanpoor Secretary of Accident and Crisis Prevention Research Center, Yazd Emergency Organization, Yazd, Iran.
Zahra Alsadat Kalantarzadeh Health Policy and Management Research Center, Department of Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/fem.v6i3.9394

Keywords: Air Ambulances; Emergency Medical Services; Health Care Process Assessment; Validation Studies as Topic

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a checklist for assessing the performance of air ambulance services.

Method: This is a qualitative study. The first phase involved a review of existing documentation about air emergency standards to create a checklist of the most critical factors and components affecting the performance of air ambulance services. The second phase required experts to complete a performance evaluation checklist from the previous phase. The third phase utilized the Delphi technique to validate the performance evaluation checklist for air ambulance services. The experts in this study were 24 pundits with a vested interest in the subject.

Results: A total of 31 items exist in the area of helipad-related facilities, 17 items in the area of process requirements for medical centers with helicopter landing areas, 15 items in the category of human resources for air ambulances, 10 items in the category of human resources for receiving or delivering patients from air ambulances to medical centers, 27 items in the area of base equipment, 17 items in the area of helicopter equipment, and requirements, 14 items in the category of technical, communication, and safety equipment for use inside the helicopter, 1o items dealing with time standards, 11 items dealing with road and urban base requirements for air ambulance operations. Experts approved two items in the area of utilizing other rescue and law enforcement agencies to assist and cooperate with air emergency flights and two items in the area of comfort for conscious patients to alleviate stress during flight.

Conclusion: A performance evaluation checklist is an effective tool for evaluating the quantity and quality of emergency helicopter services provided and measuring their performance.