The transport team is able to transfer patients by air and ground. Ideally, the decision as to which mode we use is based on the patient's acuity as well as time and distance concerns. Occasionally, we are unable to use our air service due to poor weather conditions. In these cases, or when a patient’s condition does not warrant a flight, the transport team has a small fleet of Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICUs) which allow us to safely transport patients by ground while maintaining the critical care environment needed for transfer.
Our MICUs carry the latest equipment and supplies for airway management, artificial ventilation, oxygenation, suction and patient monitoring.
Our MICUs Offer:
- Room for up to three isolettes for newborn triplets, or one isolette and a stretcher for a newborn and mom (who would be transported to an adult hospital)
- Seating for up to eight people and a safety belt system that allows the crew to access patients while properly restrained
- A refrigerator to keep medicines at proper temperature
- A heating cabinet to warm blankets
- A satellite-based global positioning system to help dispatchers track the vehicle's location as well as telephones and radios to maintain communications
- A redundant electrical system backed up by a generator incase of a vehicle failure.
- TV and VCR to allow less acute pediatric patients to watch videos to help calm their fears.
If the patient’s condition warrants, the team has contracted with Arch Air Medical for both fixed wing and rotor wing services. Arch Air Medical, owned by Air Methods Corporation, is a CAMTS accredited agency that has been conducting accident-free missions for nearly 30 years. Our contract guarantees access to available fixed wing and rotor wing aircraft when needed.
When needed, Arch is able to have the team en route to the referring hospital in as little as 20 minutes if the flight is by helicopter. Our primary vehicle is Arch 11, the Kid Copter. This aircraft is a twin engine BK-117, and is set up specifically for a specialty team transport.
Since this aircraft is a twin engine vehicle, we have the ability to carry a full team (nurse, paramedic and physician) for any transport. If for some reason the Kid Copter is not available, the Team has access to any other available BK-117 in Arch’s Fleet.
In the case that the Team requires the use of a fixed wing aircraft, Arch has two, twin engine, Beech Craft King Air airplanes available to the team. Trips flown by the fixed wing do take some extra time to set up due to FAA regulations; however the team can be en route in one hour from the time of the call in these cases. Fixed wing flights are usually done due to long distances, or in cases where the helicopter is unable to fly.