Journal Club Summary
Methodology Score: 3/5
Usefulness Score: 2.5/5
Galvagno SM Jr, Haut ER, Zafar SN, Millin MG, Efron DT, Koenig GJ Jr, Baker SP, Bowman SM, Pronovost PJ, Haider AH.
JAMA 2012 Apr 18;307(15):1602-10.
This retrospective cohort study of 223,475 patients in the U.S. National Trauma Data Bank used multivariate statistical analyses including propensity scoring to show that helicopter versus ground had improved survival at level 1 trauma center OR 1.16, 95% CI, 1.14-1.17; P<0.01; AAR 1.5%; NNT 65. The group felt that the study did not address pre-hospital predictors (crew configuration, treatments, transport time) and were not convinced that the statistical analysis of the data available answered any questions around the topic.
By: Dr. Michael Austin