UT LIFESTAR

UT LIFESTAR is the air ambulance programme of the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is a hospital programme. The site says the medical center provides the medical services and Med-Trans provides the air operations.

Services

UT LIFESTAR gives critical care treatment and transport by helicopter. Staff include pilots, nurses, paramedics, dispatchers and mechanics. The service covers emergency scene flights and flights between hospitals. Its dispatch centre tracks aircraft. The site says it takes part in the AirMedCare Network membership program.

Aircraft and bases

The site says it flies five medical helicopters from five 24 hour bases. Bases are in Morristown, Rockwood, Sevierville, Jacksboro and Sweetwater. The fleet page names Eurocopter EC135 and Airbus H130 helicopters, and the base list shows EC135 and Bell 407 aircraft. Headquarters sits on the campus of the University of Tennessee Medical Center. It holds the communications centre, aviation maintenance and offices.

Coverage area

The helicopters serve East Tennessee, Southeast Kentucky, Southwest Virginia and Western North Carolina. The site says a LIFESTAR aircraft can reach most places in its area in 15 minutes or less.

Daily checks and feedback

The site says each helicopter is inspected and serviced daily. It reports that the service flies more than 2,200 patients a year. Emergency providers can send feedback or track a patient through a form on the site. The site also has pages on history, safety, education and outreach.

Fleet detail

The fleet page lists two Eurocopter EC135 helicopters and three Airbus H130 helicopters. The site says the aircraft are placed to cut travel time to hospitals and EMS crews, within a 150 mile radius of Knoxville.

Facts

• Founded in 1984, according to the site.
• Open around the clock, every day, weather permitting.
• Medical services by the University of Tennessee Medical Center; air operations by Med-Trans.
• The site says the service has flown more than 50,000 patients.