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For EMS & Hospitals

Guidelines and Transport Forms

Most people who need emergency medical care can be appropriately transported by ground ambulance. The sickest patients, however, need the critical care and speed that LifeFlight provides. LifeFlight of Maine has developed a series of resources to ensure the transfer of critical information while minimizing transfer time.

FOR EMS PROVIDERS

FOR HOSPITAL PROVIDERS

These documents are meant to be helpful guidelines, but they should not replace decisions about transport based on sound medical judgment.

Benefits of a LifeFlight transport include decreased response time and length of transport; availability of highly trained medical crews and specialized equipment; and increased access to specialty care facilities when the patient requires specific or timely treatment. These benefits can be realized in both scene calls and interfacility transports.

Education

LifeFlight of Maine is just one part of the statewide emergency healthcare network, or chain of survival, that includes everyone from first responders, dispatchers, and paramedics to emergency room nurses and physicians, and specialists at regional medical centers. Everyone in that network or chain needs to be at their best in order for the patient to survive.

Advanced education and frequent training help maintain a strong chain of survival. LifeFlight offers training in both critical care and aviation safety to emergency medical providers across the state.


Clinical Guidelines

Many patients who require transport to medical centers with specialized resources can be appropriately transported by ground ambulance. However, a select group may benefit from the advantages that helicopter transport can offer. These advantages include decreased response time and length of transport; availability of highly trained medical crews and specialized equipment; and increased access to tertiary care facilities when the patient requires specific or timely treatment that is not available at the referring hospital or facility.

Even though the Guidelines for Helicopter Transport are useful, they are not necessarily all-inclusive and should not replace decisions about transport based on sound medical judgment.
Click on the links below to download documents you can view and print:


Transport Forms

Rapid and timely transfer of critically ill or injured patients is essential. LifeFlight has developed a series of resources to ensure the transfer of critical information while minimizing transfer time. In addition to information you can download from this section, we are always ready to come to your hospital or EMS agency to provide in-service training in:

  • Accessing LifeFlight
  • COBRA and EMTALA considerations
  • Patient packaging for transport
  • Critical information needs
  • Landing site appraisal
  • Landing site safety
  • Hands-on patient packaging and loading of aircraft

One of LifeFlight’s current projects is the development of “air-connected” landing facilities throughout Maine. Dedicated landing zones, and lighted and protected hospital helipads, enhance safety for patients, EMS and hospital personnel, and the helicopter teams.


Crew Evaluation

Our goal is to provide safe, high-quality, appropriate, and effective transport to the critically ill and injured. Please take a few moments to respond to the following evaluation regarding our crew. Your timely response is important to us and will be used to direct our continued efforts toward meeting the highest expectations of those we serve.