The Northwest MedStar communications team provides the vital link between the requestor, flight team and receiving physician. Our experienced staff is ready to help; 24-hours a day, every day of the year.
- Initiate standby or auto launch procedure
- There is no charge to the requestor for this service
- Ensure proper aircraft utilization
- Rural and Job Site Registration program
- Satellite tracking of aircraft
- Dispatch for law enforcement, EMS, search and rescue, other air ambulance providers
- Coordinate Search and Rescue missions
- Northwest MedStar is not equipped to perform technical rescue, external sling or lift operations
An EMS agency may place a MedStar crew and aircraft on "standby" when the potential need for air medical transport has been identified. This reserves an aircraft and allows a faster response time - at no cost to the requesting agency. MedStar will not cancel standby status without the agreement of the requestor.
Under certain conditions, an agency may request an Auto Launch of Northwest MedStar without EMS on the scene. The agency must be an approved requestor, the flight time greater than 15-minutes (see Service Area), and the patient's unjuries must meet at least one of these criteria:
- Amputation: Limb cut off above the wrist or ankle.
- Open Long Bone Fracture: Bone(s) sticking through the skin.
- Dyspnea: Trouble breathing as a result of an accident.
- Paralysis from accident: Can't move or feel arms or legs.
- Ejection: Thrown from (or off) a vehicle.
- Penetrating Trauma to Torso: Wound to the chest or stomach.
- Falls: Greater than 15 feet (two stories).
- Respiratory Arrest: Victim is not breathing.
- Inhalation: Breathed in smoke or toxic fumes.
- Seizure - Post Trauma: Convulsions or seizure following an accident.
- Major Burns: Head, chest or more than one limb.
- Unconscious: Not awake, does not respond when shouted at.
- Multiple Patient Accident: Five or more people hurt at the same accident.
- Victim Entrapped: Can not get out of the situation that caused injury.
- Near Drowning: Underwater for more than five minutes, or still unconscious.