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Tip of the week: Sharpen safety practices around hospital helipads

Healthcare Security Weekly, July 7, 2008

The midair collision of two medical helicopters trying to land at the Flagstaff Medical Center in Arizona June 29 was the ninth medical helicopter crash this year.

The collision that killed six people is part of a "disturbing" national tendency, a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) official said at a news conference.  “We want to see if there are issues that we need to fix to prevent these midairs [collisions] from happening," said NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker.

The crashes have killed 16 people this year, according to the NTSB. The Arizona collision killed the two pilots, two medics, and two patients.

Helicopter landings and takeoffs present intense safety risks for hospitals. Taking the time to assess related injury risks, review training policies, and revise safety rules can protect employees, patients, and passersby. To read more, go to www.hcpro.com/ppv-212747.html. The cost is $10. Briefings on Hospital Safety subscribers received this story with their subscriptions.

 

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