N.C. Air Ambulance Program Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Nov. 14--Wake Forest Baptist's AirCare ambulance program is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month, after responding to approximately 20,000 critical injury calls since its inception.

Known for providing emergency transportation during some of the most traumatic injuries or conditions a medical patient can endure, an AirCare crew consists of a pilot, a Wake Forest Baptist paramedic and a Wake Forest Baptist flight nurse, each tasked with transporting adult and pediatric patients with a variety of conditions, including trauma, cardiac, stroke and burns.

AirCare performed its first flight in 1986 to transport a child injured in an accident in Patrick County, Va., and has since evolved into a three-helicopter team, strategically located throughout the region to best provide emergency service.

In November 2010, AirCare 1 was stationed at the Davidson County airport and in 2011, AirCare 2 was added and stationed at Elkin Municipal Airport in Surry County. In 2012, AirCare 3 was added, and is housed at Blue Ridge Regional Airport in Henry County, Va.

Critical care ambulances are also based at Wake Forest Baptist and affiliated hospitals.

"Placing our three aircraft throughout our service area allows us to respond to patients quicker than ever before," said Billy Haynes, Wake Forest Baptist's AirCare program manager. "Every day, families across five states trust us to take care of their loved ones who have been victims of wrecks, fires or other trauma. We also provide fast and efficient emergency transport from other hospitals in the region for patients who urgently need the specialized care available at Wake Forest Baptist."

The criteria for AirCare response can vary from traumatic injuries sustained at the scene of a car wreck or house fire to unstable conditions sustained while in the care of staff at the hospital.

Dr. David Holder, medical director of emergency medicine at Wake Forest Baptist Health -- Lexington Medical Center, said emergency personnel are trained to use their best judgment in the event of an unstable injury or condition.

In the event that resources are not available to a patient at the Lexington Medical Center and an injury is identified as time-sensitive, AirCare can have the patient transported to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem in approximately 11-12 minutes.

"We're just really fortunate to have that resource," Holder said. "For critically ill patients, every minute you save can drastically improve their outcome."

Holder said Aircare's "exceptionally skilled" medical professionals can perform a number of treatments in-flight, calling the helicopter a "very condensed ambulance less room but more equipment," complete with "a tiny stretcher packed to gills."

In the event a traumatic incident away from the hospital, AirCare is often available almost immediately.

Averaging around 1,100 flights a year, AirCare responds to calls from first responders and hospitals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The helicopter is in the air within 10 minutes of receiving a call and the crew is in direct radio contact with EMS personnel at the scene or the physician at the referring hospital.

Larry James, director of Davidson County Emergency Services, said depending on the initial emergency dispatch to an accident, communications personnel may automatically check the status and availability of an AireCare unit.

If first responders determine AirCare transport is needed, the helicopter can be on the scene in a matter of minutes.

"It's really beneficial especially if were dealing with a bad accident or a critical patient on the southern end of the county," James said. "It's really nice especially when they are in quarters at the airport."

Mat Batts can be reached at (336) 249-3981, ext. 227, or at mat.batts@the-dispatch.com. Follow Mat on Twitter: @LexDispatchMB

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