University of Iowa Health Care, in conjunction with air medical service Air Methods, has announced plans to open a new helicopter base in Davenport within the next few weeks.
While location details and dates are still being finalized, the new base is expected to be operational before the end of fall and will serve as a hub for the physicians, flight nurses, pilots, and other professionals who staff UI Health Care’s AirCare emergency services, a release stated.
“If you or a loved one are involved in a life-threatening accident or medical emergency, seconds matter,” said Dr. Andrew Nugent, chair and departmental executive officer for the Department of Emergency Medicine at UI Health Care. “AirCare’s new helicopter base in Davenport means people living in the Quad Cities will now have the latest medical transport technology right in their backyard. Our teams’ expertise means patients receive swift and specialized care during transport, significantly improving chances of recovery and survival.”
AirCare, whose flights are operated by Air Methods, is the first hospital-based emergency air medical program in Iowa and one of the first 15 programs in the nation, providing emergency helicopter and ambulance services to patients experiencing time-sensitive or complex medical conditions that call for quick transport.
“With industry-leading clinicians, life-saving blood, and state-of-the-art medical equipment on board every flight, Air Methods is grateful for the opportunity to provide the best care in the air to the Quad Cities and beyond,” said Gregg Hardy, director of regional sales for Air Methods. “We know the difference minutes make in a medical emergency, and we are committed to getting people to the right level of care, as quickly and safely as possible, while providing critical interventions on the way.”
According to the release, the new Quad Cities base – AirCare’s fourth in Eastern Iowa – will improve emergency response time to existing locations in the region, while extending care to several new counties at the same time.
“The opening of a fourth AirCare base is a milestone in our mission to extend life-saving care to high-risk patients facing time-sensitive and complex medical needs,” said Dr. Nugent. “We hope that the Quad Cities region is as excited for access to this patient care service as we are. This base means residents can expect more timely emergency medical intervention in times of need.”
The new base joins AirCare’s other locations in Iowa City, Waterloo and Dubuque and supports UI Health Care’s long-term goals of supporting access to health care across the state of Iowa.
Currently, UI Health Care and Air Methods are recruiting qualified staff for the new base, and interested applicants can visit https://jobs.uiowa.edu for more information.
About AirCare at University of Iowa Health Care
The AirCare emergency helicopter service at University of Iowa Health Care made its inaugural flight in 1979, marking the establishment of Iowa’s first hospital-based emergency air medical program. It was also among the first 15 such programs launched nationwide.
AirCare’s fleet of helicopters and specialty transport ground ambulances swiftly transport critically ill and severely injured patients, providing medical care during transit. The service is particularly focused on high-risk patient populations, including multi-system trauma victims, neonates, pediatric patients, and individuals experiencing time-sensitive or complex medical conditions.
AirCare is the only flight program in Iowa affiliated with an emergency medicine residency program and the only one in the state to supplement its medical crew with flight physicians. The program is certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS), the highest level of accreditation in the industry.
AirCare collaborates with over 100 emergency medical services, fire departments, and law enforcement agencies throughout Iowa and the surrounding region, and all flights are operated by Air Methods.
About Air Methods
Air Methods provides air medical services to more than 100,000 people annually and has nearly 45 years of experience in the field. The company is a major partner for hospitals and one of the largest providers of community-based air medical services in the U.S.
Air Methods also operates a clinical education program, Air Methods Ascend, which offers training for critical care nurses and paramedics. The program uses high-fidelity mannequins, virtual reality, and cadaver labs to provide hands-on learning opportunities.
