Medical Center of South Arkansas and emergency medical air transportation company, Survival Flight, have formed an alliance to bring enhanced emergency air transport services to the South Arkansas region. Beginning in February, this alliance will equip Medical Center of South Arkansas with an onsite helicopter and crew based on the hospital’s campus.
According to MCSA CEO Scott Street, “We are pleased to offer this service as part of our continued dedication to offer the highest standard of care to our patients. These advancements in emergency air transportation will further solidify our health system as a regional healthcare leader.”
The Survival Flight helicopter will be transporting patients to and from Medical Center of South Arkansas, a designated level 3 trauma center, ARSaves telemedicine center and interventional cardiovascular center. Medical Center of South Arkansas will also be utilizing Survival Flight to transfer patients in need of higher levels of care to other hospitals. The new service also provides opportunities to increase access to timely medical care for rural and previously underserved areas.
“Emergency air transport provides critical healthcare services to people whose lives depend on it,” said Chris Millard, President of Survival Flight. “The collaboration allows us to reach patients in South Arkansas and its surrounding areas more quickly.”
The helicopter based at Medical Center of South Arkansas is a large-frame aircraft with the capability to accommodate a patient’s family member and carry enough medical supplies for multiple transport flights without restocking. Operating 24/7 on the hospital grounds, Survival Flight’s dedicated crew are in a constant state of readiness to provide patients with timely care when an emergency occurs.