aa web _r1_c2.jpg (13740 bytes) Air medical transport through Memorial Air Angels is just one more way Memorial fulfills its mission to improve the quality of life for the people of our community. Memorial Hospital is proud to offer patients throughout the Michiana area a full range of inpatient and outpatient services, including heart and orthopedic care, which have received national acknowledgment. Memorial Hospital was recently named as one of the country's 100 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by the HCIA-Sachs Institute and was also recognized by HCIA, Inc. and the Health Network.com for excellence in the provision of orthopedic care as a two-year recipient of the 100 Top Orthopedic Hospitals Award.

Inter-Facility Transports

Memorial Air Angels provides full-service, advanced medical treatment and rapid air transport of pediatric and adult patients including:

Cardiac patients, including those dependent on intra-aortic balloon pumps
Patients with head and spinal cord injuries
Patients with severe burns, traumatic amputations, as well as those needing hyperbaric chamber intervention
High-risk obstetrical patients and their newborns
Trauma patients
Patients with acute neurological, vascular and surgical emergencies
Patients who need critical care

Memorial Air Angels will transport the patient to any hospital chosen by the referring physician.

Scene Response

Memorial Air Angels:

Extends the capabilities of emergency service agencies by offering rapid response and quality medical care
Provides rapid transport to the closest appropriate care facility

Actively works with communities to establish safe and secure landing zones

Offers free Landing Zone Safety classes to emergency service providers

Aircraft and Flight Team

Memorial Air Angels operates a Bell 222 twin-engine helicopter that is equipped with many redundant safety features and state-of-the-art navigation equipment to provide safe and reliable transport. The helicopter is configured to carry one critically ill or injured patient and features sophisticated Advanced Life Support equipment and medications.

The flight team consists of a critical care flight nurse and critical care paramedic skilled in managing life-threatening emergencies. These highly trained specialists provide a continuity of care for a complete range of emergency medical conditions. Staff certifications include ACLS, PALS, NRP, PHTLS and TNCC.

Air Angel pilots have training and experience that exceed industry and Federal Aviation Agency standards. Based at the South Bend Regional Airport, the EMS helicopter "Angel 2" and its highly trained critical care transport specialists are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to respond quickly and transport the critically ill or injured patient.

Program Operations

Memorial Hospital's helistop is located atop the Centennial Parking Garage adjacent to the Emergency Care Center. Air Angels has adopted a "Fly-Neighborly" policy to help limit rotor noise as much as possible.

Memorial Air Angels can be activated 24-hours a day, by calling (866) 262-4247, toll-free.

While the primary response area includes a 75-mile radius from South Bend, medical transports into Indianapolis, Cleveland and Chicago are quite common.

Memorial Air Angels sponsors free monthly "EMS Night-Out" in-service sessions for emergency service providers. Call for details.

For specific program information or to arrange free training, contact the Outreach Transport Coordinator at Memorial Hospital (574) 647-3473.