Crain’s Cleveland Business – MetroHealth is expanding its Metro Life Flight helicopter services to north-central Ohio with a helicopter based at Wayne County Airport beginning Monday, July 5, according to a news release.
The 24/7 service will help reduce travel time when transporting patients from Wayne County and surrounding areas (including Wooster, Orrville, Ashland and Canton) to the appropriate health care facility, the release stated.
“This move will save lives,” MetroHealth president and CEO Dr. Akram Boutros said in a provided statement. “It allows MetroHealth to offer its world-class emergency care to more people across Ohio.”Throughout the region, MetroHealth operates three Metro Life Flight helicopters, each of which is staffed with a four-person crew of two pilots, one flight nurse and one physician or nurse practitioner, according to the release.
Metro Life Flight uses yellow and blue EC-145 helicopters designed so the medical team can provide the highest level of care to patients during flight, with immediate access to emergency blood products and ultrasound and the ability to perform advanced procedures. The EC-145 is equipped with the latest avionics and safety equipment and exceeds all Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board recommendations for the Helicopter EMS industry, according to the release.
“We are excited about having 24/7 helicopter coverage,” Kidron fire chief Jon Peters said in a provided statement. “This is a win for Wayne County residents.
“Launched in 1982 as the first air medical program in Northeast Ohio, Metro Life Flight was started to quickly transport critically sick and injured patients to the nearest and most appropriate facility. It currently transports nearly 4,000 patients a year — more than 10 patients a day — with emergency medical services in Northeast Ohio, according to the release. Transports typically include trauma, strokes, pediatric emergency or other medical emergencies.
via – https://www.crainscleveland.com/health-care/metrohealth-expanding-metro-life-flight-wayne-county
