Quality assurance and continuous quality improvement within air transport programs

Introduction: In June of 1993, the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) Quality Management Committee surveyed 240 air medical programs regarding their Quality Assurance and Continuous Quality Improvement activities. Methods: The survey tool consisted of questions related to Quality Assurance/Continuous Quality Improvement program structure and specific Quality Assurance indicators contained in the AAMS/NFNA Quality Assurance Resource Document. Comparisons were made among fixed-wing, rotor-wing, and combined programs, for use of the Quality Assurance Resource Document, for availability of computers and for hospital-based versus profit or public service programs. Results: Returned surveys totaled 148 for a 62% return rate, with most of the respondents being single hospital based programs. Ninety-three percent of those surveyed have a Quality Assurance program in place to monitor indicators, whereas 63% have also begun to include the Continuous Quality Improvement team process. Only 50% of respondents use computers in their Quality Assurance/Continuous Quality Improvement activities. Conclusion: Significant differences among groups were found for several Quality Assurance indicators.