About the Aircraft
The aircraft flown by HealthNet Aeromedical Services are custom-configured for operation in the aeromedical environment. Flown by pilots with thousands of hours of experience, the helicopters connect rural areas with the critical care services available at Cabell Huntington Hospital, Charleston Area Medical Center and West Virginia University Hospitals. Each of those facilities is a member of the HealthNet system.
Air Methods Corporation provides the helicopters, pilots and mechanics to HealthNet Aeromedical Services. Air Methods is the nation's largest provider of aviation services to hospitals.
A Variety of Equipment for a Variety of Patients
HealthNet Aeromedical Services’ helicopters are specially equipped to manage a wide variety of patient conditions. Since the aircrafts and crews respond to such a diverse patient population, it is necessary to carry some equipment that would be found on a ground-based ambulance and some that one would find in an intensive care unit. Some of the equipment carried on board includes:
- Philips MRX advanced patient monitoring system
- Cardiac defibrillator
- External cardiac pacemaker
- Internal cardiac pacemaker
- On-board and portable suction apparatus
- On-board and portable oxygen supply
- Advanced airway management equipment
- Pulmonetics LTV 1200 transport ventilator
- Fluid resuscitation equipment
- EZ IO intraosseous drill
- Complete emergency drugs
- Non-emergency drugs, including neuromuscular paralytic agents
New Challenges, New Equipment
The flight team constantly evaluates industry trends in patient care to ensure that the equipment carried is appropriate for our patient population. New equipment is used on a trial basis and if deemed necessary, is purchased for use. This affords our patients the latest in medical equipment and technological advances.