Shannon AirMed1

Shannon AirMed1 is the air ambulance programme of Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo, Texas. It is a hospital programme run with Med-Trans. Shannon provides the crews and medical equipment, and Med-Trans provides the aircraft, pilots and maintenance staff.

Services

AirMed1 gives 24 hour emergency care for hospitals across West Texas. It moves patients with heart problems, trauma, medical emergencies and burns. The site says the helicopter carries extensive life support equipment. Shannon also runs a membership plan for air ambulance costs.

Aircraft and bases

The helicopter page names the Bell 407. Shannon also offers AirMed2, a fixed wing air ambulance for long distance transport. The plane is a King Air 90, and the crew is a critical care nurse and a flight paramedic. The site says AirMed2 is a joint effort between Shannon, Eagle Med and Med-Trans.

Coverage area

The site says AirMed1 serves more than 13 West Texas counties in its main service area. It stresses how far apart towns are in West Texas.

Awards and membership

The site says AirMed1 has won the Air Medical Service Award from the Texas Department of State Health Services four times. It explains that a helicopter can cut the time to a hospital in the first hour after an injury or heart attack. The membership plan aims to lower costs that insurance may leave unpaid for members.

Why West Texas needs air care

The site says West Texas covers 131,323 square miles, with fewer than seven people per square mile. Drives to care can take two to four hours. The Bell 407 has a wide door for loading patients. AirMed2 is based at San Angelo Regional Airport.

Facts

• Run by Shannon Medical Center with Med-Trans.
• The site says it is accredited by CAMTS.
• The site says the program has won the state Air Medical Service Award from the Texas Department of State Health Services four times.