New AirCare base expands emergency response to Quad Cities
University of Iowa Health Care and Air Methods are increasing Quad Citizens’ access to life-saving critical care services by opening a new helicopter base in Davenport, Iowa.
The new base will serve as a hub for the expert physicians, flight nurses, pilots, and other professionals who staff UI Health Care’s AirCare emergency services and is expected to open this fall.
AirCare provides emergency helicopter and specialty ambulance services to rapidly transport multi-system trauma victims, neonates, pediatric patients, and patients experiencing time-sensitive or complex medical conditions. All flights are operated by Air Methods.
“If you or a loved one are involved in a life-threatening accident or medical emergency, seconds matter,” says Andrew Nugent, MD, MHA, FACEP, 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.”
“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.”
The Quad Cities helicopter base will be AirCare’s fourth base serving eastern Iowa. Other AirCare helicopter bases are located in Iowa City, Waterloo, and Dubuque. Opening a base in the Quad Cities area will improve AirCare’s emergency response time to existing locations in the region while extending care to several new counties.
“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,” says 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.”
While location details are still being finalized, the base is expected to be operational in the coming weeks.
This expansion of health care services in the Quad Cities further supports UI Health Care’s long-term goals of supporting access to health care across the state. UI Health Care and Air Methods are actively recruiting qualified personnel for the additional base. Those interested in positions should search the Jobs @ UIowa website.
About AirCare at University of Iowa Health Care
The AirCare emergency helicopter service at the University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center made its first flight in 1979. It was the first hospital-based emergency air medical program in Iowa and one of the first 15 programs in the nation.
Our helicopters and specialty transport ground ambulances rapidly transport critically ill and severely injured patients, delivering medical care en route with an emphasis on supporting high-risk patient populations, including multi-system trauma victims, neonates, pediatric patients, and patients suffering from time-sensitive or complex medical conditions.
AirCare is the only flight program in the state affiliated with an emergency medicine residency program and is the only flight program in the state supplementing their medical crew with flight physicians. The AirCare program is certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS), which is the highest designation available for air transport services and demonstrates rigorous commitment to the highest standards in patient care and aviation safety.
AirCare collaborates with 100 emergency medical services, fire, and law enforcement programs throughout Iowa and the region.
All flights are operated by Air Methods.
About Air Methods
Air Methods is the nation’s leading air medical service delivering lifesaving care to more than 100,000 people every year. With nearly 45 years of experience, Air Methods is the preferred partner for hospitals and one of the largest community-based providers of air medical services. Air Methods Ascend is the company’s clinical education program, allowing critical care nurses and paramedics best-in-class training opportunities using high-fidelity mannequins, virtual reality, and cadaver labs.
