Modelling air vs ground EMS in Alberta

Air or Ground EMS: The Fastest Route to Care in Alberta
Sustainability · Added 21 May 2026

Geospatial analysis comparing response and transport times for air versus ground EMS in Alberta to identify optimal triage criteria.

Study type: Modelling
Design: Geospatial multi-modal network modelling study
Participants: Modelled patient transfers across Alberta (number of transfers not reported)
Main finding: Ground transport more effective within 101 km; air saves 9.7 min beyond this; mixed zone to 417 km; air consistently faster beyond 417 km but 6.6 times more expensive with no modelled case where air was faster
Caveat: Modelling study with open/industry data; no actual patient outcomes and Canadian setting
Bottom line: Context only

Learning goal

Understand how distance and cost shape safe air versus ground retrieval decisions for interfacility transfers.

Tatra mountain rescue epidemiology over 10 years

Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine · 26 May 2026 · Registry · Context only

Retrospective analysis of 9,477 mountain rescue missions over 10 years found a median NACA score of 2 with 38% classified as moderate-to-severe, seasonal variation in severity, and helicopter use correlated with higher acuity, providing epidemiological data that could inform training and resource planning for wilderness EMS.
Digital MCI coordination didn't speed evacuation

European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery · 20 May 2026 · Cohort · Context only

Retrospective evaluation of whether the IVENA-MANV digital coordination system improved prehospital distribution times during mass casualty incidents.
Field acuity predicts ICU admission in stable adults

Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi · 18 May 2026 · Cohort · Context only

Prospective study of 393 patients transported by ambulance found urgent field classification, hypotension, critical hyperglycemia, and prehospital interventions predicted ICU admission.
Medical planning for 2024 Republican convention

Prehospital Emergency Care · 15 May 2026 · Case series · Context only

This case report describes comprehensive health and medical planning and multi-agency response for a large-scale national political convention, providing a template for mass gathering EMS preparedness.