Figure 1

Transport distances with patient, different transport systems. These observed transport distances (with median marked), for each system, are the basis for calculation of transport costs. For obvious logistical reasons, the longest transport distances are managed by the fixed-wing system, even though there is quite a bit of overlap for moderate transport distances (200–400 km) RA = road ambulance (n = 17); RW = rotor wing ambulance (n = 71); FW = fixed-wing ambulance (n = 68).