MedSTAR Transport (MedStar Health)

MedSTAR Transport is a hospital air and ground medical transport programme run by MedStar Health. It flies medevac helicopters from three bases in Maryland and also runs critical care ambulances. The service covers the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. area and reaches further into the Mid Atlantic.

Services

Most patients move between hospitals in the MedStar Health system and other major tertiary care centers, as directed by the sending and receiving doctors. Some patients are flown from accident scenes to the closest Level One Trauma Center, in coordination with local EMS. The page says the team can start or continue critical care in flight. It lists advanced therapies such as ventilation, balloon pumps, ventricular assist devices and ECMO. Doctors are on call around the clock to advise flight crews.

Aircraft and bases

The air service uses EC 135 helicopters. The page says all FAA Part 135 aviation services are provided by Metro Aviation, Inc., which keeps operational control of the aircraft. The bases are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• MedSTAR 1: Fort Meade, Maryland
• MedSTAR 2: Indian Head, Maryland
• MedSTAR 3: St. Mary's Airport, Hollywood, Maryland

Coverage area

The three bases support patients in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania.

Facts

• Type: hospital air and ground medical transport programme
• Run by: MedStar Health
• Aircraft operator: Metro Aviation, Inc. (Part 135)
• Accreditation: CAMTS accredited for ground, rotor wing and NICU transport, as stated on the page
• Licence: Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems commercial EMS provider