Northwest MedStar is dedicated to the safe, compassionate care and transport of critically ill or injured patients to health care facilities throughout northwestern United States and Canada utilizing helicopters, fixed-wing and ground ambulances. Northwest MedStar provides immediate on-scene emergency response, between hospitals transports and search and rescue missions.
With more than 3,500 patient transports each year, the safety of our medical crews, patients and EMS partners is the highest priority for Northwest MedStar. Because of that, Northwest MedStar is committed to maintaining ongoing efforts and investments in policy initiatives, increased weather monitoring, crew training, enhanced technologies, and infrastructure enhancements to mitigate risks – many of which go beyond what is mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
- The INHS Board of Directors has promulgated a strong policy focusing on flight and patient safety. This has been in existence over the past 10 years and has resulted in key decisions related to aircraft selection, maintenance policies, crew training and specialty equipment.
- INHS and Northwest MedStar have been working directly with industry representatives, the FAA and Congressional members in developing draft federal legislation which emphasizes flight and patient safety.
- Northwest MedStar participates on state, regional and national safety committees to advocate for changes in the industry that will promote safe operating practices. Current legislative activities include the support of federal regulation of safety equipment, operating standards and state authority over medical quality control and utilization policies.
- The practice of “weather shopping” has been a causative factor in several accidents nationwide. When requesters call multiple services to find one that will accept a transport in marginal weather, the accepting service is often flying into an unfamiliar area with no knowledge that the local providers have declined the flight for weather. Northwest MedStar discourages this practice and takes the additional step of reporting weather turndowns on an industry supported notification website. Please contact our Communications Center to coordinate with partner programs to find the safest and most expedient route for your patients and discourage the practice of “weather shopping” by your staff.
- Accurate and current weather data is critical to safe pre-flight planning. Northwest MedStar provides pilots with multiple weather reporting resources in an effort to ensure pilots have all the needed resources. The Helicopter EMS (HEMS) weather tool, developed by the University Center for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) which helps fill gaps in weather reporting by using computer models to determine the probable ceiling and visibility between weather reporting stations.
- Flying into unexpected weather is frequently related to in-flight incidents. XM Satellite Weather has recently been installed, providing our pilots with real-time weather updates directly to the cockpit of the aircraft.
- In-flight emergencies are a potential risk and skills practice is essential to minimize that risk. All pilots attend annual flight safety simulator training. This provides our pilots with the opportunity to practice in-flight emergencies using a computer-driven simulator.
- Coordination of crew activities during flight is essential to a safety focused flight team. Annual “Safety Training Days” focused on crew safety coordination is further reinforced daily with shift briefs and online training tools. Partnering EMS and air medical program personnel also attend these safety days.
- To ensure Northwest MedStar is practicing the latest risk mitigation strategies, team members attend the Air Medical Transport Conference which includes sessions on technology enhancement and safety management.
- Low light/night flying is a known risk factor. Northwest MedStar invested in Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) to improve visibility when flying in low-light conditions. Flight personnel receive recurring didactic and flight training to maintain a high skill level.
- To improve aircraft tracking and reduce pilot workload during flight, all the Northwest MedStar aircraft are equipped with satellite tracking devices to provide constant position reporting.
- Terrain Avoidance and Warning Systems (TAWS) provide “look ahead” capabilities, warnings and alerts well in advance of potential hazards.
- INHS, Northwest MedStar and Metro Aviation, the provider of our air carrier services, ensures vigilance to the practice of safety through ongoing quality monitoring and reporting systems that are constantly reviewed by team members, management, leadership, the INHS Board of Directors and the Federal Aviation Administration. This information is used to continually strengthen our risk mitigation strategies.
- All operating policies and procedures are developed with safety at the forefront of every decision. INHS and Northwest MedStar consider the “risk-versus-benefit” of all policies and procedures before they are implemented.
- Hospital helipads have no air traffic control system which creates a risk when used by multiple services. Currently, the Northwest MedStar communication center assumes control of the Spokane hospital helipads monitoring inbound and outbound flight activity. Efforts are underway to further expand helipad usage awareness across the state to include direct observation with helipad cameras.
- Northwest MedStar added ground ambulances to provide transport when air travel is not available due to weather. These ground ambulances are designed with the latest safety enhancements to ensure our crews and patients benefit from the same vigilance to risk mitigation as if they were transported by an aircraft.