Helicopter vs. ground-based transfer for emergency interhospital transportation: A time and cost-efficiency analysis across varying transfer distances

GEMS is more efficient and should be considered for all transfers under 30 km, while HEMS offers a time advantage for distances exceeding 50 km, providing potentially crucial time savings in time-critical cases. For intermediate distances, HEMS may be justified when reducing treatment delays is essential. Decisions regarding transport modality should consider not only the distance but also urgency and the potential clinical benefits of faster treatment. Future studies should examine the clinical outcomes of different transfer modes to better guide transport decisions.