Abstract
Activation of helicopter emergency services (HEMS) by rural EMS agencies is essential to decreasing morbidity and mortality of the patient. Medically appropriate use of HEMS seeks to maximize utilization of a scarce resource to improve health outcomes, (Petrie et al., 2007). There are evidence-based practice (EBP) guidelines provided by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and the National Association of EMS Physicians that rural agencies can utilize to guide their decision making when activating HEMS. Rural EMS agencies may not know that these guidelines are a tool to aid them in HEMS activation. According to Petrie, et al. (2007), the goal is to facilitate air medical care when needed and avoid over utilization when not needed. By educating rural Nebraska volunteer EMS agencies how to triage patients to HEMS, based on an evidence-based guideline may decrease the morbidity and mortality of the patient.