For Immediate Release: August 4, 2009

Contact: Brian Reardon (217) 544-6464, ext. 44306 brian.reardon@st-johns.org

St. John’s Hospital expands “Saints Flight” coverage

Dedicated helicopter service now provides transport for adult patients

SPRINGFIELD – St. John’s Hospital today announced Saints Flight, its dedicated helicopter service, is now capable of transporting all adult, pediatric and newborn patients.  Launched in November 2008, Saints Flight initially transported pediatric patients and newborns.

Saints Flight is permanently stationed at one of St. John’s two helipads, allowing air transport to occur immediately whenever a call for service is made. St. John’s has contracted with ARCH Air Medical Services (owned by Air Methods) to provide the helicopter, pilots and medical transport teams. 

“The reason we have a dedicated helicopter and flight transport teams based at St. John’s is that it allows us to better meet the needs of critically ill and injured patients from across central and southern Illinois,” said Bob Ritz, President and CEO of St. John’s Hospital.  “We recognize that seconds matter when someone suffers a heart attack, is involved in a serious accident, or is born prematurely.  Saints Flight is an investment in saving time that can often result in saving lives.”

When a call for service is made, a Saints Flight transport team typically takes off from St. John’s helipad in under seven minutes.  With a cruise speed of 130-150 m.p.h., Saints Flight can arrive at an area hospital or accident scene in less than half the time that it would take an ambulance to respond. 

On-board each Saints Flight are highly trained professionals.  Pediatric transport teams include a respiratory therapist and a registered nurse. Adult teams have a registered nurse and paramedic, each with at least five years of specialized training in caring for critically ill and injured patients.

Saints Flight pilots are required to have a minimum of 2,500 flight hours, including 500 hours flying at night.  “Air Methods is proactive when it comes to patient and crew safety,” said Dave Fails, Aviation Manager at ARCH Medical Services.  “We incorporate extra regulations when it comes to flight conditions, including requiring that there be at least two miles of visibility for flights made during the day.”

Established criteria must be met before a patient is transported by air. First, a physician must determine the process is necessary and safe for the patient. An emergency call is then placed through either St. John’s One Call Transfer number or the ARCH dispatcher, and the helicopter pilot on duty is immediately notified. He or she would then check the flight conditions to ensure safety, and assemble the crew for take-off.

Saints Flight, a BK117 dual engine aircraft helicopter constructed by American Eurocopter, is part of a medical air transport network operated by ARCH.  The network has helicopters based across central and southern Illinois in Granite City, Sparta, Litchfield, Effingham and Urbana.

“Having similar helicopters strategically based across the region ensures that we can efficiently transport those patients who need specialized surgical or intensive care services that St. John’s provides as a tertiary medical center,” said Amy Jones, RN, nursing director, Critical Care and Emergency Services for St. John’s.