Role of an accident flying squad in medical emergencies.

A retrospective study of medical cases attended by the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary Accident Flying Squad demonstrates that of 17 cases only two patients survived to leave hospital. Nine cases of cardiac arrest have been studied in further detail. In all of these cases it was found that diagnosis of arrest had been made before the Flying Squad was called and that the situation had become extreme before the arrival of the medical team. In every case the Flying Squad team took more than 3 min to arrive, irrespective of distance. Review of the literature appears to support the conclusion that medical teams have been of little value when called to cardiac arrest at any distance from the hospital because of the time lag. It is suggested that more sophisticated primary care should be available immediately, preferably by highly trained ambulance personnel. Medical teams would give appropriate support to such primary care.