When to Request Memorial MEDFLIGHT

MEDFLIGHT assists regional health care professionals with rapid, efficient critical care transport of patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries.

MEDFLIGHT provides on-site assessment and stabilizing treatment, rapid air transportation, and in-flight critical care for pediatric and adult patients, including:

Cardiac patients, including those dependent on an intra-aortic balloon pump
Patients with severe burns, including those requiring hyperbaric oxygen
Trauma patients, including those with head and spinal cord injuries
Patients with acute surgical or vascular emergencies 4 5
Patients with acute pulmonary or neurological emergencies
Patients with a wide variety of critical care needs, including those requiring advanced invasive monitoring and mechanical ventilation

Trauma Scene Response Scenarios

MECHANISM OF INJURY

Vehicle collision at > 20 mph with ejected occupants.
Pedestrian or cyclist struck by a motor vehicle at > 10 mph
Death of another individual in the same passenger compartment
Falls > 15 feet
Multiple patients

CLINICAL CONDITION

Penetrating trauma or crush injury to the head, neck, chest, abdomen, or pelvis
Unstable vital signs
Glascow Coma Score < 10 or deteriorating mental status
Neurological status suggestive of spinal cord injury
Obvious unstable pelvic injury
Major burns ≥ 20% body surface area
Partial or complete extremity amputations or vascular compromise

DIFFICULT ACCESS SITUATIONS

Ground ambulance access impeded by road, weather or traffic conditions
Remote area

TIME/DISTANCE FACTORS

Prolonged extrication time
Prolonged transport time by ground ambulance
Utilization of ground ambulance leaves the local community without adequate EMS coverage

Transport Destinations

For trauma scene responses, MEDFLIGHT will transport the patient to the closest Level I or Level II Trauma Center.

For inter-hospital transfers, MEDFLIGHT will transport the patient to the hospital specifi ed by the referring physician.