Memorial Hermann Life Flight

Memorial Hermann Life Flight is a critical care air medical service based in Houston, Texas. It is a hospital programme of Memorial Hermann. The site calls it the only not for profit hospital based air ambulance serving Houston.

Services

Life Flight moves critically ill and injured patients. Its listed abilities include blood products in flight, ECMO, balloon pumps, LVAD care, and pediatric and neonatal transport. Special flights use pediatric nurses, neonatal nurses and perfusionists. The site also says it treats and moves injured K9 officers.

Aircraft and bases

The site says the fleet has six EC-145 twin engine helicopters at five bases. Each can carry two patients. The fleet also includes fixed wing aircraft for patient transport around the world.

Coverage area

The helicopters serve the greater Houston area within a 150 mile radius of the Texas Medical Center. Fixed wing flights can go to other places, including back to Texas from overseas.

Staff and funding

The site lists 21 pilots, 21 flight nurses, 18 paramedics, eight dispatchers and eight mechanics. Pilots keep Air Transport Pilot status, and nurses and paramedics hold flight certifications. Crews use night vision goggles on night flights, and each helicopter is inspected daily. The site says the program costs about 15 million dollars a year and relies on community support.

Equipment and safety

Each helicopter carries red blood cells, liquid plasma, ultrasound and in flight lab testing. Each aircraft has weather radar, autopilot, GPS and collision warning. The site also offers landing zone classes for emergency services staff, by email request.

Facts

• Run by Memorial Hermann. The program began in 1976.
• The site says it has been accredited by CAMTS since 2001.
• The site says Life Flight has flown more than 158,000 missions.
• Staff listed: pilots, flight nurses, paramedics, dispatchers and mechanics.