LifeFlight Eagle Communications Center coordinates among agencies to ensure safety, speed
Rather than taking 9-1-1 calls directly, LifeFlight Eagle responds to calls for assistance from fire departments, EMS organizations, law enforcement or hospitals.
These calls come into LifeFlight Eagle's Communications Center, which serves as the nerve center and hub for inter-agency communication, coordination and safety.
In February 2012, LifeFlight Eagle presented the "Life Saver Award" to Cole Camp (Mo.) EMS in recognition of outstanding life-saving service to its community.
"We are pleased to recognize Cole Camp EMS for their efforts to improve the lives of those in their community," said Joey Araiza, LifeFlight Eagle's Vice President of Clinical Services. "Their commitment to critical care education and their life-saving response to time critical illnesses like stroke and heart attack have had a positive impact in the lives of patients in Benton County."
When it comes to treating cardiac and stroke patients, time is critical.
Every moment of delay in getting a patient to an appropriate care facility means potentially more muscle or neurological damage, and reduces the chance that a patient will make a full recovery.
In early October, LifeFlight Eagle partnered with four frequent referring hospitals in its coverage area to launch a pilot program with the goal of reducing the time it takes to prepare a critically ill patient to fly.
Shortly before he was discharged after spending months in the hospital recovering from his injuries, Jackson Hill and his family had the opportunity to reunite and thank the people who helped save his life.
Research Medical Center held a Great Save Celebration to honor EMS first responders from the Johnson County Ambulance District, the flight crew from LifeFlight Eagle and numerous teams from Research that helped treat Jackson after he was critically injured in a motorcycle accident on June 13.
LifeFlight Eagle was presented with a plaque for its help with a new helipad constructed at H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation in Osceola. Called "Scout Nest Helipad," it was dedicated in memory of James Hammontree, "Medicine Man Silver Distant Fox," who along with his wife, Linda, was the project's primary benefactor.
LifeFlight Eagle Safety Coordinator Joe Coons and Base Manager Jim Johnson represented LifeFlight Eagle at the event, which also included a fly-in by LifeFlight Eagle's Clinton-based Bell 407 helicopter.
Eagle 3 and its crew, previously based at Central Jackson County Fire Protection District Station #3 in Blue Springs, Mo., are moving to a newly built base just east of Odessa, Mo., in Lafayette County, near the intersection of state Highways M & O and Interstate 70.
LifeFlight Eagle's other helicopters will continue to operate out of their current base locations in Trenton, Harrisonville and Clinton, Mo.
LifeFlight Eagle recently completed an upgrade of its Communications Center, where all emergency medical flights are managed and tracked
After several months of planning and training, LifeFlight Eagle's Communications Specialists have moved into a new facility and are using new Computer Aided Dispatch software.
Communication Specialists are the first point of contact for local fire departments, emergency medical services or hospitals when a patient's condition requires air transport.
LifeFlight Eagle has launched a new tool to help ensure it consistently provides unparalleled service to its patients and their caregivers. LifeFlight Eagle recently partnered with RSQ911 Solutions to launch a web-based survey to gather information and feedback on each stage of a flight.
RSQ911 Solutions specializes in gathering and processing information specifically for the air-medical industry for the purpose of improving service and performance.
LifeFlight Eagle has always had an internal Quality Assurance program, but in 2010, the organization embarked on an initiative to improve its already high standards of patient care by more actively engaging its partners at EMS agencies and hospitals. The goal of its Outreach Quality Assurance program is to use clinical data and evidence-based medicine to improve processes and ensure better patient outcomes.
As was their custom, Russ and Annette Charles rose before the sun Thursday morning to spend time talking, checking Facebook, and reading the news together before heading off their separate directions to work.
This morning, the Clinton, Mo., couple was causally discussing the 100-mile century bicycle race Russ would compete in that weekend, and where along the route Annette could best meet him with drinks and snacks to fuel his body.
Annette was facing away from him when she heard Russ make a funny noise. She glanced over to where he was sitting at the computer to see what funny meme he’d seen on Facebook.
Instead, what she saw was her 53-year-old husband slumped in a chair, not breathing.
