AHN LifeFlight (Pittsburgh LifeFlight)

AHN LifeFlight, also known as Pittsburgh LifeFlight, is the air medical service of Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is a hospital programme. It runs emergency helicopters and critical care ground transport for very sick or injured patients.

Services

LifeFlight flies from accident scenes and from health care facilities. It also offers critical care ground transport, which can be used when weather stops flights. It does intra-aortic balloon pump, ECMO and neonatal transports. The site says it supports other hospitals, not only network hospitals. Trauma patients must go to accredited regional trauma centers.

Aircraft and bases

Each helicopter has two flight nurses and a pilot. The site lists Airbus EC145 helicopters and a newer Airbus H135. Pilots work for Metro Aviation. Bases are in Canonsburg, Clarion, Indiana, Penn Township (Butler County Airport) and Rostraver Township (Rostraver Airport).

Coverage area

The site says helicopters serve western Pennsylvania, southeastern Ohio, northern West Virginia and western Maryland. Helicopters work within a 130 mile radius of Pittsburgh.

Requests and outreach

Emergency transport requests go to the LifeFlight line, and the site says to call 911 in an emergency. LifeFlight works with EMS providers and community hospitals in a four state area. It also offers outreach education and an observer program for public safety staff.

Landing zone safety

The site gives rules for crews on the ground. Set up a safety perimeter of 100 by 100 feet and wait for the pilot to signal before anyone approaches. Keep vehicles at least 50 feet away. Do not smoke, run or wear hats inside the perimeter.

Facts

• Run by Allegheny Health Network. Medical crews are in radio contact with an Allegheny General Hospital emergency physician.
• Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• The site says it has completed more than 75,000 missions.
• Nurses hold RN credentials plus paramedic or PHRN credentials.