Health care professionals all over the country entered the Angel MedFlight’s “Celebration of Innovation” Apple iPad2 giveaway in December and we are excited to announce the winner.

Congratulations to Holly Haston of Charlotte, N.C.! Holly was randomly selected as the iPad2 recipient on Jan. 2 and is already enjoying her new gadget. Here’s a little bit about our winner…

Holly Haston, RN, CCM
Holly is a Nurse Coach with more than 28 years of nursing experience. She spent 10 years as Case Manager and Director of Case Management in a sub-acute setting. She has worked as a Utilization Review Coordinator. Holly was a Managed Care Specialist and Clinical Field Representative for a southeastern traumatic brain injury rehabilitation center. She has been a Home Care Nurse, Community Relations Director and Supervisor of a multi-county home care branch. Her clinical background includes medical surgical nursing and neurosurgical intensive care oncology and urology in hospital and home settings.

“I want to again sincerely thank you for doing the giveaway for the iPad2! I still cannot believe that my name was drawn. It was a very generous drawing to offer…I am enjoying it immensely.”
-Holly Haston

And finally, a BIG THANKS to all who entered for sharing your experiences and opinions regarding medical transport; we value your input as Angel MedFlight continues to innovate patient transfers for the best outcomes for patients, families and health care providers alike.

But Jeremy was singing a different tune…watch the video below to see what transpired.

Proceeds from the Christmas Breakfast Show at Night event and auction benefit the Tim and Willy’s Kid’s FUNdation. A 501c3 charity established in 2001 by KMLE 108 (Camel Country) radio personalities Tim & Willy, the foundation helps children and families in need by providing basic needs like food, clothing and school supplies, as well as other to scholarships to custom-made wheelchairs.

For the past three years, Jeremy and Angel MedFlight have contributed to this worthy cause by bidding on autographed guitars, which are proudly displayed at Angel MedFlight’s Scottsdale headquarters.

We are thrilled to have been part of a cause that benefits children in the community. Thank you, Tim and Willy, for your dedication to “fun-raising”!

Angel MedFlight CEO Jeremy Freer (center) with KMLE 108 radio personalities Tim (left) and Willy

Things are already rockin’ and rollin’ here as we are kicking off 2012 with patient transports and crew training.

It is going to be an exciting year for us as we continue to grow and help more patients than ever before. You won’t want to miss our new developments that will take air medical transport to an even higher level, so be sure to stay in touch with us through our blog and facebook page.

We hope that 2012 has many wonderful things in store for each and every one of you. Here’s to a new year full of possibilities… make the most of 2012!

Jeremy, we thank you for your entrepreneurial vision and unfaltering commitment to patients, families and health care professionals. You have profoundly influenced thousands of patients’ lives, the entire air medical transportation industry and all of us here at Angel MedFlight.

You have been a daily example of the power of perseverance; we want to acknowledge and thank you for your leadership and for building a truly incredible company that we are all very proud to be a part of.

As you celebrate, know that you have made a very big difference to a lot of people. We wish you happiness, success and ultimate “bar raising” today and every day – HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

–Margaret Mead

The National Transportation and Safety Board recently issued its probable cause report for a July 2010 West Texas incident involving an air ambulance operator. The report concluded that pilot error and possible fatigue caused the Cessna 421 to plunge just minutes after takeoff, killing all five people on board. Just days after the findings were announced, a forced landing of another medical transport company’s twin-engine plane claimed three more lives.

Although neither incident was related to Angel MedFlight, company CEO Jeremy Freer stresses that safety differences do exist and individuals seeking medical flights should know how to identify good – and bad – practices.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of the people who died,” says Freer. “Avoidable incidents that result in loss of life just shouldn’t happen. Many people may not be aware of the enormous quality and safety discrepancies that can exist among air medical transport operators. We want to give people the tools to make informed decisions.”

Lear 60 medical jet interior

Fixed-wing medical flights are predominantly facility-to-facility transfers for patients who are too ill or injured to fly commercially. Patients are flown on medically-equipped aircraft and cared for by medical personnel, but that’s where similarities among some operators end.

“Air medical transport isn’t like the airlines, where you can feel pretty confident that carriers are operating near the same levels of safety and excellence,” says Freer. “Sadly, there are some operators or brokers who cut corners. Individuals looking into medical flights should research the companies they’re calling and ask questions regarding operations, safety, aircraft, equipment and crew.”

Because of the highly-specialized nature of medical transportation, medical flights can cost thousands of dollars, leading many patients and families to base decisions on cost.

“Unfortunately, a lot of times it comes down to the dollar amount and cheapest doesn’t always mean safest,” says Freer. “We are not the cheapest in the industry and frankly, I’m proud of that. We invest in top-of-the-line aircraft, medical equipment and personnel and we truly feel that we have the best program out there.”

Angel MedFlight utilizes Learjet 35s and 60s equipped with advanced safety equipment including Global Positioning System navigation, weather radar, and the latest collision and terrain avoidance systems, including TCAS, TCAS-II and TAWS. Pilots have extensive flight experience and adhere to strict duty schedules to enhance safety and minimize fatigue. Critical care flight nurses and paramedics are highly-trained and flight-experienced and work in nurse/paramedic tandems on every flight. Angel MedFlight has an excellent safety record.

Today the Angel MedFlight crew gathered together to celebrate a very special day – Mr. Samson Freer’s 6th birthday! Yep, our very own Director of Canine Operations just turned six years old and the team was on hand to surprise him with a festive birthday party. There were canine cakes, treats, toys of all shapes, squeaks and sizes and a donation basket for Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue (Sam has a big heart and never forgets where he came from!).

So happy, happy birthday, Sammy! We wish you the back-scratchin’est, shrubbery-pouncin’est, squeaky-toy-chasin’est kind of year – you deserve it!

On that fateful morning, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise military strike against the US naval base at Pearl Harbor.

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the raid on Pearl Harbor, and we pause to remember the 2,402 Americans – both military and civilian – who died in the assault.

The attack, which profoundly shocked the American public, led directly to America entering World War II. On Dec. 8, the United States declared war on Japan and three days later entered into conflicts with Germany and Italy.

World War II waged on across the globe until Sept. 2, 1945, when Japan signed surrender documents. Historians estimate that the deadliest war in history claimed more than 50 million lives.

We take this moment to honor the memories of those lost at Pearl Harbor, and to salute the veterans and survivors whose sacrifices so many years ago have ensured our freedoms today.

Visitors tour the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor, Honolulu

Breem was hit by a car in St. Thomas, suffering a traumatic brain injury and partial paralysis

Kelly Breem suffered a traumatic brain injury Nov. 14 when she was hit by a car while crossing a street on the island of St. Thomas, USVI. She fell into a coma and remained partially paralyzed at a St. Thomas hospital. When Breem’s mother, Althea Richardson, learned that the hospital did not have the faculties available to treat her daughter’s brain stem injury, she made a plea to her local congressman, Tim Bishop, for help.

Congressman Bishop directed his office to work on Ms. Breem’s behalf after learning that she could only receive the medical care she needs in the mainland U.S., and the cost of a medical evacuation flight was prohibitive for the family. He contacted leading international air medical transport provider Angel MedFlight for the flight.

Lear 60 medical jet that transported Breem from St. Thomas to NY

“Kelly and her family needed our help in this tragic situation, and I thank Angel MedFlight for being true to their name and immediately offering their life-saving services free of charge,” says Congressman Bishop.

When Rep. Bishop’s staff informed Angel MedFlight CEO Jeremy Freer of the severity of Ms. Breem’s condition, Freer offered to perform the air ambulance flight at no charge.

“No two brain injuries are alike and studies have shown that patients who receive treatment at brain injury rehabilitation facilities make more progress in their recoveries,” says Freer. “We are pleased to partner with Congressman Bishop and provide Kelly’s medical flight so that she has access to the specialized care she needs in New York.”

Angel MedFlight medically transports patients to health care facilities around the world. Many of those flights have transported brain-injured patients to specialty rehabilitation centers where they receive comprehensive treatment.

Ms. Breem was greeted by family members at Long Island MacArthur Airport following a 1,600-mile flight aboard a medically-dedicated Learjet 60. She was immediately transported by ambulance to Stony Brook University Medical Center where she is receiving treatment.

We are deeply saddened to hear of this tragedy and our hearts and thoughts go out to the victims’ loved ones. We wish a full and fast recovery to the accident’s two survivors.

Increasing Awareness to Maximize Safety

This air ambulance fatality is a devastating reminder to take a closer look at safety in air medical transport. We cannot change the outcome of Sunday’s disaster, but we can arm you with information that will help you to make the best and safest decision in choosing an air medical provider.

The fact is, arranging a medical flight is not something most people do every day; it’s probably not something most people will do in their lifetimes. But it is what we do every day, and we want to ensure that you understand the requirements for a safe, successful medical flight.

Here are some things you should expect in an air medical transport provider:

Well-maintained, medically-dedicated aircraft

Some operators own their aircraft; some have exclusive leases with reputable providers; and some “companies” are actually brokers who farm out flights to the cheapest provider so that they can make the most profit. These distinctions can affect safety and quality of service.

When providers operate their own aircraft or have exclusive operating agreements, they know exactly which aircraft patients are flying on, including condition, maintenance history and safety features. When brokers are choosing operators based on price, there is more likelihood that corners are being cut somewhere along the line. (In this industry, be aware that the best price may not always be the safest decision.)

Pose the following questions:

• Do you own aircraft yourself or have exclusive use arrangements with specific providers?
• What type of aircraft will my loved one be transported on?
  
• What safety features does the aircraft offer?

Angel MedFlight has exclusive agreements in place for the operation of medically-configured Learjet 60s and 35s. One of our partners is literally downstairs – we know exactly who’s maintaining the jets, who’s flying them and what condition they’re in. The jets are outfitted with advanced safety equipment including GPS navigation, weather radar, and the latest in collision and terrain avoidance systems (TCAS/TCAS-II, TAWS, etc.).

Each fully customized medical jet is equipped with a stretcher, advanced life support equipment, medications, and the latest technology in medical devices and monitoring capability; they are the ICUs of the skies.

Lear 60 medical jet dedicated to patient transport

Highly-qualified commercial pilots with extensive flight experience

Two-pilot crew operating a medical jet

Who operates the aircraft is just as vital to safety as the aircraft itself. Ask if the air ambulance provider employs their pilots. Inquire into how many pilots will be operating the aircraft. Find out about the pilots’ credentials and experience.

At Angel MedFlight, aviation crew members have thousands of hours in the air including significant experience in Learjets. Two pilots are in the cockpit on every flight. All pilots have completed simulator training in the aircraft, and have fulfilled or exceeded all FAA requirements.

Experienced, compassionate medical crews prepared for any situation

It is not an uncommon air ambulance industry practice for medical flight crews to have full-time jobs and moonlight as flight nurses/paramedics. This poses a safety concern as medics/nurses often go straight from a hospital shift to the aircraft to care for patients, pushing the limits of mental and physical fatigue.

Ask the air medical transport company these questions:

• Are your medical personnel full-time employees?
• How many medical team members will be on the flight?
• What are their licenses and certifications?
• Are they flight-experienced?

Angel MedFlight critical care flight nurse and paramedic escort a patient to the medically-outfitted Lear 60

Every member of the Angel MedFlight medical crew is a full-time employee with years of experience in emergency medicine. Our air certified medical crews undergo an extensive orientation and training process prior to flying with patients. Additionally, all medical personnel participate in 100 hours of didactic and clinical education each year, including training on the Laerdal SimMan 3G patient simulator.

Both a critical care flight nurse and paramedic accompany the patient throughout the entire transfer. Together, these highly-competent, compassionate teams can handle virtually any incident that might occur during a transport. And they truly care about their patients; many of them keep in touch with patients and families long after the medical flight.

These are but a few of the criteria you should expect from a trustworthy air medical transportation provider. Stay tuned as we will be expanding on safety and patient care in upcoming posts. If you should have any questions at all about air medical transfers, call us any time of the day or night at 877.264.3570 or email info@angelmedflight.com.

Angel MedFlight is in the holiday spirit, too, and we are giving away an Apple iPad2! How do you get in on the win? Visit this page, answer a few questions and go about your merry way!

The giveaway runs through midnight on Dec. 31, 2011. One winner will be randomly selected Monday, Jan. 2, 2012.

Thank you for entering and good luck!