CARILION CLINIC PATIENT TRANSPORTATION CONDUCTING CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
Carilion Clinic receives second grant from MedEvac Foundation International
ROANOKE, Va. (Aug. 19, 2010) – Carilion Clinic Patient Transportation (CCPT) received a grant from MedEvac Foundation International to study helicopter utilization and educate emergency medical services (EMS) agencies on how to best utilize medical helicopters. This is the first study of its kind in the nation.
At a conference in February 2009, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified helicopter utilization as an area of concern. According to the NTSB, medical helicopters are a scarce resource and should be used for patients that need the speed or critical care that can only be provided by the helicopter’s medical crew.
“After we listened to the NTSB conference, the Life-Guard team decided to study this on a national level. We want to see how helicopters are being used and create an educational program to improve utilization,” explains Susan Smith, project coordinator for the grant and CCPT director. “We applied for the grant to reach beyond our area so we’ve partnered with Wellmont Health System in Bristol, TN and Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance in Norfolk, VA.”
The three partners will monitor the utilization of helicopters for trauma patients and determine whether the transports meet national criteria. EMS providers using the medical helicopters will receive education on appropriate helicopter use. Thus far, CCPT has seen notable improvements in the agencies that have been educated.
“We want to make sure that medical helicopters are available for the patients who truly need it,” adds Smith. “We are excited about this grant and hope that our research and education makes a difference.”
MedEvac Foundation International awards funds to support the development of education projects to benefit the critical care transport community. Funding priorities include education related to best practices of safety, human factors and performance, education of the general public related to medical transport purposes and competency based education.
Contact:
Eric Earnhart 540-224-4966
Allie Buth 540-224-4943
Carilion Strategic Development
About Carilion Clinic
Carilion Clinic is a multi-specialty healthcare organization with more than 600 doctors and eight hospitals, based in Roanoke, Va. Led by physicians, Carilion Clinic is committed to clinical excellence, education and research. Carilion Clinic is dedicated to providing care that is centered on the patient’s needs, supported by an ongoing commitment to quality and service. With nationally recognized specialists, award-winning nurses, the latest technology and state-of-the-art facilities, Carilion Clinic is bringing tomorrow’s healthcare into focus today. For more information, please visit www.CarilionClinic.org.
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