A medical emergency can strike anyone anytime without warning, and require helicopter transport to a hospital. Northwest MedStar provides immediate on-scene emergency helicopter response, interfacility transport if a patient needs more advanced care, and assists with search and rescue missions around the clock from bases in Spokane, Tri-Cities and Moses Lake.NW MedStar, which has 15,000 member-households, will soon celebrate its 6th anniversary. Stories shared by those served by NW MedStar, during their emergency show why membership is important.
Any decrease in time between injury or illness and proper medical care results in better patient outcome and\or survival, according to medical statistics. That's why Northwest MedStar's critical care transport service has become a vital part of emergency medical response. Especially in rural areas, such as the Palouse and surrounding area's south of Spokane, it provides an affordable advantage. Browse Northwest Medstar and you'll find detailed information about interaction of ground and air ambulance, hospitals, and doctors.
When someone calls 911 for help, seconds count. If someone critically ill or injured needs specialized medical attention, the 911 dispatcher sends the nearest Paramedic unit on its way to assess and assist the patient. If necessary, an alert is sent to NW MedStar along with the pertinent information: heart-related, trauma injury, a mother in labor, burn victim, an ill infant, youngster or adult, or any other critical medical emergency -- and whether there are multiple patients.
Northwest MedStar responds via helicopter, fixed wing or ground ambulance depending on necessity. All are equally equipped to handle advanced care.
Before a NW MedStar team arrives, ground-based medics who reach the patient immediately begin assessment to determine patient condition, and start emergency medical care, depending on their training. It's not unusual in rural areas for the medics or ambulance crew arriving first to be Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), sometimes accompanied by First Responder (FR) 'rookies' instead of Paramedics. Although EMT certification requires less training than Paramedic, an EMT has substantially more emergency medical training than FR, and experienced EMTs always accompany FRs.
The first team of medics enlists help from family or friends at the scene as needed -- for example, gathering medications the patient is taking, clearing a path for a gurney, getting parked vehicles moved out of the way, illuminating a night scene, necessary steps to ensure prompt, efficient interaction when NW MedStar medics arrive.
As soon as NW MedStar medics have the patient's information, they assume patient care. Each NW MedStar flight or ground team includes a specially trained critical care registered nurse and registered respiratory therapist along with a pilot or driver.
Carolyn Prouty, RN, CCRN and chief flight nurse, said, "I am proud to work with such a dedicated team that continually strives to provide quality care and safe transport."
NW MedStar responds from its closest base. They are located in Spokane, Moses Lake or Tri-Cities, and bring advanced critical care treatment to the patient, so that during the time the patient is being stabilized and transported to the proper hospital facility medical experts are caring for the patient.
The ground team assists, and also usually helps move the patient to the helicopter. Although the scene may appear chaotic to bystanders, and not progressing rapidly enough, the team effort is well-coordinated to provide the best, most efficient emergency medical care possible. Each member of these crews undergoes frequent training in the variety of roles they perform. In addition to adding to their knowledge, repetition of previously mastered skills enhances performance. Even though you'd think reiteration unnecessary, training modules include things such as, "anyone on scene when a helicopter lands should never approach it, and must remain a considerable distance away to avoid being struck by invisible, moving, tail-rotor blades."
The helicopter can carry three crewmembers and one or two patients. Rear-loading clamshell doors help the crew load and unload patients easily. The spacious, unobstructive cabin offers full access to patient(s) during flight. Family members may be allowed to accompany the ill or injured depending upon the patient's condition, and weight and space available.
What does a membership cost, and what does it cover?
Most medical insurance policies don't cover the full cost of an air ambulance trip. When a patient is flown before they have NW MedStar membership, any unpaid balance (which is often thousands of dollars) becomes their responsibility.
Eveline Saltmarsh, director of NW MedStar, said, "Although no one ever plans to need medical transport, during an emergency the last thing anyone wants to think about is the bill. NW MedStar offers a membership program that pays out-of-pocket costs should you ever need to be flown. Membership costs $59 per family, per year, or $150 for three years. Your membership will cover you, your spouse, and any legal family members in your household."
Dr. Richard Weiland, a family practitioner in Clarkston, Washington, said everyone should consider NW MedStar membership. It is especially important for patients with heart disease or other risk factors, and risk-taking outdoor enthusiasts, and he predicts that in the coming years triage from smaller hospitals to major centers will continue to increase, making the membership a practical safeguard. "I can't think of anybody who wouldn't benefit, with accidents and infectious illnesses, things that are straining the resources of smaller hospitals," he said.
Following a medically necessary transport, NW MedStar will bill the members insurance company directly; the Membership Program will cover any remaining balance. Also, thanks to reciprocal agreements, several members of the Association of Air Medical Membership Programs (AAMMP), a collaboration of non-profit critical care transport providers, will also honor NW MedStar's membership for air transport.
The company has a long and illustrious history of service to the public, and interaction with many medical communities. It provides the highest level of care for the more than 3,500 patients flown each year.
Sidebar:
- In an emergency, always call 911. The emergency network is an established system for everyone in the region and begins with the 911 operator who dispatches an emergency agency (ambulance, police, fire).
- Safe helicopter landing sites are vital. Visit your local fire department to learn about or coordinate established helicopter landing zones in your area. Whenever a helicopter needs to land where no designated landing zone exists close enough to a patient, overhead power lines, trash or debris on the ground, and sufficient space are always prime considerations.
- Wade Scoles, RRT, NPS, NREMT, said, "NW MedStar provides landing zone safety training, as well as other continuing education classes to EMS and hospital care providers throughout our response area. We really enjoy traveling around the region to these classes, where we get a chance to spend more time with our fellow health care providers while helping to fill their educational needs."
- MedStar membership information
