Blog

Working at Air Methods Means Access to the Best Training

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At Air Methods, we hire the best and then we make them better. That’s why we created our Ascend Critical Care Clinician Education program for our employees and others in the critical care field. This program, which is available in-person and online, provides the highest level of training and certifications for all emergency care clinicians, […]

Should My Patient Be Transported by Air? Top Tips to Identify the Need for Air Ambulance

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Air medical transport is often seen as the preferred mode of transport for high-risk patients, particularly those requiring a specialized critical care team during transport. Choosing air medical transport over ground-based transportation for certain types of patients can increase safety, save time, and continue treatment performed by specialized care teams while en route. Let’s discuss […]

Key Differentiator: Clinical Research in Prehospital Medicine

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As prehospital care continues to advance and be supported more by evidence-based outcomes, it is essential that we expand clinical research to provide the most effective treatments for our patients. Clinical research provides invaluable insights into new methods, drugs, devices, and procedures that can help revolutionize patient outcomes.   At Air Methods, we are committed to […]

Instructor Spotlight: Melanie Smith, From Combat Black Hawk Pilot to Aviation Educator  

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Whether she’s leading our team of Air Methods Ascend instructors or teaching courses in flight line readiness and aviation, our Aviation Education Manager, Melanie Smith, MIM, MBA, M.Ed., draws on her impressive background and past experiences. She began her career as a US Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot serving in the Middle East and Europe. After […]

Pediatric Respiratory Viruses Surging and the Impact on Patient Transport

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Respiratory viruses in children are on the rise nationwide, including flu, RSV, and COVID-19 cases. As of the end of November, influenza activity is high and continues to increase across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC estimates there have been nearly 9 million flu illnesses and 78,000 […]

Honoring Our Veterans

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At Air Methods, we salute our 1,368 teammates who have served in our nation’s armed forces, and now help provide lifesaving efforts to hundreds of communities across the country. Thank you for your service and sacrifice to keep our country safe.  Because the military has excellent training programs for pilots, mechanics, clinicians, and other needed […]

4 Ways our Operational Control Center Has Your Back on Safety

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From a flight request to a post-flight debrief, the Operational Control Center (OCC) at Air Methods has an important role in ensuring that our helicopters take off, deliver, and land safely. With 15-20 thousand active flights each month, clear communication combined with safety measures is a top priority. Often considered the “brain” of air medical […]

Summer Winds Down but the Temperatures Do Not. Beat the Heat with These Tips!

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Across the country we are continuing to observe record high temperatures and experts predict we won’t be seeing relief any time soon. August is commonly the time for some of the hottest days of the year. Because of this, we want to take a moment to refresh everyone on heat related illness and to remind […]

Air medical memberships: Relics of the past

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You won’t hear this from most air medical companies, but air medical memberships are no longer necessary. On New Year’s Day a federal law went into effect preventing air medical companies from hitting consumers with surprise balance bills, which is the practice of invoicing a patient for the difference between the plan’s reimbursement and the […]

Improving Patient Outcomes With Blood In Flight

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Carrying blood and plasma in flight is a top priority for us to optimize outcomes for those with traumatic injuries. Patients suffering significant blood loss are at risk for hemorrhagic shock which causes the body’s organs to fail and can lead to death. This is the harsh reality of emergency medicine, which is why we […]

Celebrate Safely This Summer With These 4 Tips

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Summer is in full swing. For many of us, summer means being surrounded by loved ones at the beach, lake, and mountains making memories that last a lifetime. Whether you’re hiking through Yellowstone National Park or barbecuing beachside in Pensacola, we want the memories made this summer to continue to be positive ones. From all […]

The Top 5 Trends Facing the Air Medical Industry in 2022

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The future of healthcare and its impact on air medical services is facing sweeping changes and acute challenges. From hospital closures and staffing shortages to increased domestic tourism, Air Methods is evaluating market dynamics and preparing for this shift. Here are our top 5 trends facing the air medical industry in 2022.  1. Obstetrical Units […]