LifeGuard Air Ambulance (St. Luke's, UnityPoint Health)

LifeGuard Air Ambulance is a hospital air medical program run by UnityPoint Health, St. Luke's Hospital, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It flies a helicopter for emergency and critical care transport.

The service covers the Cedar Rapids community and Eastern Iowa. It also flies patients within Iowa and nearby areas. The company says its crews have flown thousands of flights over more than 40 years.

LifeGuard is staffed 24 hours a day. It takes patients to the hospital the patient or family chooses, or to the nearest suitable facility. The site says speed, advanced medical equipment and crew skill all add up to a better chance of survival and recovery.

LifeGuard responds to patients in rural areas, accident victims, and high risk infants who need specialized care. It also transports patients who must travel to distant facilities. A special team for newborn intensive care transport is available when needed.

The aircraft is a Bell 407 helicopter with tail number N911LG. On board are a cardiac monitor with defibrillation and pacing, an advanced ventilator, blood products and night vision goggles. Each flight has a pilot, a flight nurse and a flight paramedic.

Medical crew members are certified in basic life support, advanced cardiac life support, pediatric advanced life support and neonatal resuscitation. Additional certifications include critical care paramedic, critical care registered nurse, certified emergency nurse, certified flight nurse and flight paramedic.

The program has a three year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS). It also offers safety training classes and event visits for community groups and emergency responders.

The site includes safety guidance for crews and ground staff near the helicopter. Approach from the front or sides, stay clear of the tail rotor, and keep observers 100 feet away from the landing zone. A landing area should be about 100 feet by 100 feet, clear of obstacles.

Services

• Emergency and critical care helicopter transport
• 24-hour staffed flights
• Neonatal intensive care transport team
• Patient transfers to distant facilities
• Safety training classes
• Event visits for community groups and responders
• Landing zone and helicopter safety class