Abstract
Emergency physicians are dispatched to the scene of a disaster by the “doctor helicopter” not only to reduce the time required to transport victims but also to offer them high quality medical service at the scene of an accident. At a recent traffic accident that occurred in the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture, involved a large number of victims, emergency medical service was rendered with the cooperation of the rescue squad. In this instance, the most severely injured were sent to the emergency and critical care center, while appropriate hospitals and methods of transport were selected for the others who suffered from less severe injuries by the flight doctor. These direct medical control activities, starting with the dispatch of an emergency medical team and involving care given at the scene of an accident, transport of the wounded, and medical triage cannot be conducted adequately by the use of a helicopter operated by the rescue squad. It is believed that such a service is very effective in the event of a disaster. Like an earthquake, which has been predicted in the Tokai region in the near future.
