Air transportation over-utilization in pediatric trauma patients

Retrospective study of 348 pediatric trauma patients transported by air found significant over-utilization: 56% were discharged within 48 hours, only 31% had ISS ≥15, and 29% required time-sensitive interventions. Both scene-to-hospital and hospital-to-hospital air transports showed similarly high rates of unnecessary utilization based on low injury severity and rapid discharge patterns.