I don’t understand why a helicopter is requested for so many calls without proper patient evaluation. It seems to me like a contest for glory status or something of the sort.

I feel very strict protocol and guidelines should be in place so that there is no confusion as to rather one is needed or not. If a patient is transported by air to a distant medical facility, treated and released, I’m thinking the helicopter wasn’t needed in the first place.

I know the parent of the student who was flown to Syracuse from Thousand Islands middle school, treated and released the same day.

The bill for the flight alone was a staggering $42,500 plus hospital and dental bills.

If a helicopter is needed, it’s needed. If it’s not, it’s not.

Henry R. LaClair

Clayton

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