posted August 01, 2024

COOPERSTOWN, NY, Aug. 1, 2024 – Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical service provider, announced today that Otsego County has selected Air Methods Ascend’s Critical Care Review online program to provide continuing education to its first responders.

Otsego County Emergency Medical Services coordinates emergency medical services for over 58,000 residents across more than 1,000 square miles in Central New York. Since launching its ambulance service in November 2021, Otsego County now provides 24/7 advanced life support services with a dedicated team of 16 full-time and 10 part-time paramedics.

“Ascend’s online programs will provide Otsego County first responders with the necessary education to meet our goal of providing the highest level of care and quality service to our residents,” said EMS Supervisor Dana Weygand. “We are grateful to have access to cutting-edge continuing education to ensure our paramedics have the knowledge they need to provide patients with the life-saving care they need and deserve.”

Otsego County first responders will receive access to Ascend’s online Critical Care Review courses, which enable clinicians to learn at their own pace while maintaining focus on the subject matter. The courses cover a wide range of topics, including airway management, cardiovascular care, trauma, high-risk transports, and in-depth discussions on neurological, obstetric, neonatal and pediatric care.

“We are excited to partner with Otsego County and offer our online training programs to their first responders said Dr. Stephanie Queen, Air Methods Senior Vice President of Clinical Services. “Our online programs are designed to equip first responders with the latest skills and knowledge to help provide the best patient care during emergencies.”

Ascend’s in-person and online education programs provide pre-hospital and critical care clinicians with access to world-class educators, state-of-the-art tools, and cutting-edge technologies to help build their knowledge, enabling them to operate at the top of their licensure and fulfill continuing education requirements. Education programs include advanced manikin-based simulation and virtual reality training that mirror real-world patient care scenarios, building life-saving skills and confidence. Courses meet certification requirements for the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN), Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE), and International Board of Specialty Certifications (IBSC). Ascend’s Critical Care Readiness in-person training and Critical Care Review online modules are accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Additionally, Air Methods Ascend is a licensed provider of SimX’s virtual reality training platform. This platform offers over 300 clinical scenarios, enabling clinicians to immerse themselves in realistic medical emergencies. Through this immersive experience, clinicians can hone their decision-making skills and refine their ability to provide optimal patient care in high-pressure situations. Being a licensed provider also enables Ascend to offer virtual reality training remotely to its customers, significantly reducing training costs for the receiving agency.

Learn more about the Ascend education program here.