Work Group Lists Suggestions For Medical Helicopter Program

A Maryland legislative work group yesterday approved a preliminary list of recommendations for the state-run medical helicopter program, including that a second pilot be added to all flights and that the program seek accreditation from a medevac industry trade group.

House Speaker Michael E. Busch convened the group last month in response to the deaths of four people in a helicopter crash in Prince George's County. The recommendations could change before they are finalized next week, said Del. John L. Bohanan Jr. (D-St. Mary's), the group's chairman.

The group plans to recommend that state police fly by the same regulations as commercial programs. Among other things, the switch would mean changes to how the helicopters are maintained and more FAA inspections, said Maj. A.J. McAndrew, commander of the state police aviation unit.

Accreditation, which the state requires of all commercial medevac operators, would necessitate adding a second medical provider to all medical flights, at a cost of about $2.26 million a year. The state police fly with one paramedic and, if needed, pick up a second medical provider from the scene.

Other recommendations include retrofitting helicopters with updated safety features, purchasing a flight simulator for pilot training, reviewing how patients are triaged before flight and establishing a joint legislative oversight committee to continue the group's work.

The group plans to meet Monday to review and vote on the recommendations, which will be released in a report as early as Tuesday. The report will be delivered to three legislative committees.