University of Iowa Health Care expands critical life support care on AirCare
UI Health Care is one of only several hospitals in Iowa to offer ECMO transport via helicopter.
Starting in September, University of Iowa Health Care will be providing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and dedicated ECMO specialists through AirCare emergency transport.
The new partnership between the UI Health Care AirCare and ECMO program strengthens the life support options available for severe heart and lung failure patients across Iowa and neighboring states.
“Adding ECMO to AirCare’s capabilities is a game‑changer,” says Lovkesh Arora, MBBS, UI Health Care ECMO medical director. “We can now start to care for the most critical patients faster to improve their outcomes.”
The ECMO AirCare team will be on call 24/7 and based out of UI Health Care Medical Center at 200 Hawkins Drive in Iowa City, with the capacity to reach patients within a 170-mile radius.
“This new capability reinforces our commitment to delivering advanced, high-quality care when and where it’s needed most,” says Arora.
International leader in ECMO care
UI Health Care is recognized as a Platinum Level Center of Excellence by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). Its team of experts treat the most complex patients and help train health care professionals from all over the world.
AirCare provides emergency helicopter and specialty ambulance services to rapidly transport patients. All flights are operated by Air Methods.
