Aeromedical transfer of preterm labor patients.

Obstetric patients are transported by air quite frequently. We evaluated transport times, obstetric outcomes, air-versus-ground transport costs, and related data on 22 helicopter aeromedical transports of pregnant patients with preterm labor. We found no significant differences between patients who delivered and those who did not when comparing transport time (167.1 +/- 41.9 minutes versus 177.1 +/- 56.2 minutes), air distance of transport (122.9 +/- 44.8 miles versus 143.6 +/- 23.8 miles), and other outcome measures. No deliveries occurred in flight. Air transport costs were significantly greater than estimated ground transfer ($4613.64 +/- $581.12 versus $604.02 +/- $306.38; P < .01). Two-way air transfer of preterm labor patients over moderate distances is more costly than contracted ground transfer costs at our institution.