Exploring Air Medical Transport in the U.S.
Chapter 1: EMERGENCIES
Video
Transport by Air?
Most people don't think of transport via helicopter or airplane as an option in the event of an emergency. Instead, a traditional ground ambulance often comes to mind. But sometimes this method isn't fast enough. Here are just some of the emergencies where transport by air is crucial to the survival of patients.
Medical Evacuation "Medevac"
Medevac occurs when a patient is transported to the hospital via air. This is also referred to as a "scene call," where a helicopter is dispatched to a specific location to provide important services.
In most cases, a helicopter is dispatched when the patient is too far away from a hospital, and transport via ground ambulance would take too long. The first 60 minutes after an accident, also known as "the golden hour," is the most critical time where the care that is received can mean the difference between life and death for a patient.
Medevac helps transport that patient to the hospital within that "golden hour," if they are too far away from a facility.
Interfacility Transport
Interfacility transports are one of the most common calls that air medical transport organizations respond to. This occurs when a patient needs to receive a higher level of care than their current hospital can provide. A helicopter is dispatched to transport them from one hospital to another.
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For example, in many cases, a small county hospital is usually unable to provide the same level of care as a large regional hospital in a big city. If a patient requires specialized care, transport by air can safely get that patient to the resources they desperately need.
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Sometimes these require flights that are long distances. The non-profit organization, LifeFlight of Maine, often transports patients from smaller hospitals in the state, to Maine Medical Center in Portland, which is a larger hospital that can provide a higher level of care.
Learn more about patients who have experienced life-saving interfacility flights here
Backcountry Rescue
Backcountry rescue operations usually occur when a patient is in a wilderness or highly unpopulated area. Hiking, skiing, kayaking, and rock climbing are just a few of the activities that pose major risks if people are unprepared. Helicopters are often dispatched when something catastrophic happens, and backcountry rescue requires a very specific set of skills.
Transport via air can make a huge difference to an injured hiker or skier who has been stranded, in order to get them to critical care within that "golden hour."
In New England, organizations like North Country LifeFlight assist with backcountry rescue operations in the northern half of New York, and have even helped rescue injured people from caves.
Fixed Wing Transport
Transport via fixed-wing aircraft is similar to inter-facility missions. The only difference is the use of an airplane rather than a helicopter.
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Organizations with fixed-wing fleets can help fly patients further distances. For example, LifeFlight of Maine's fixed-wing crew will frequently fly patients down to Boston for treatment. An airplane travels much quicker than a helicopter, making transport time much faster for a patient in need.
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Transport by fixed-wing is also used when helicopter fleets are grounded due to weather. Airplanes can fly in much more severe conditions such as snow or fog. This allows an organization to be able to respond to more calls, and thus, help more people.
