Air Methods has partnered with MountainStar Healthcare and opened a base in Ogden, Utah on 3 November as AirLife Utah. The base will serve Ogden Regional Medical Center, Cache Valley Hospital, Brigham City Hospital, Pleasant View Emergency Center, Lakeview Hospital, and other surrounding community hospitals, to provide emergency air medical services throughout northern Utah, southern Idaho and southwest Wyoming. MountainStar Healthcare's air medical service was previously operated by Guardian Flight as MountainStar AirCare.

The Ogden AirLife Utah base is located at Ogden Regional Medical Center and will provide air medical services to the region, responding to emergency medical calls for trauma events such as heart attacks and strokes, paediatric emergencies and other incidents, as well as providing critical interfacility transports as area hospitals manage the current surge of COVID-19 cases. The AirLife Utah air ambulance is staffed with trauma clinicians and pilots with years of experience in the field and carries blood and plasma on every flight. Skilled aviation mechanics ensure the aircraft is always safe and mission ready.

Air Methods and AirLife Utah adhere to strict COVID-19 protocols that include full personal protective equipment (PPE) for crews and decontamination of the aircraft after every transport. The base is committed to treating and transporting any patient who requires care.

“We are proud to partner with MountainStar Healthcare to serve patients, particularly during this heightened time of need,” says Michael Jenkins, area manager for the Air Methods North Central region. “In emergency situations, minutes can be the difference between life and death. Air medical services ensure fast and efficient transport with the best clinicians and pilots in the industry. It is also important to us that we do not require patients to purchase memberships for our services, unlike many other air medical companies, and that our patient advocacy teams help patients navigate post-flight insurance requirements to avoid costly out-of-pocket expenses.”

“I'm pleased that Air Methods will be MountainStar Healthcare's new partner for air ambulance services, which we will proudly station right here at Ogden Regional,” adds Mark Adams, CEO of Ogden Regional Medical Center. “This partnership allows us to continue providing high quality and safe patient care. AirLife Utah's aircraft and skilled crew will also make interfacility transports possible, as necessary, as COVD-19 cases continue to surge in the region. It is crucial that we have air medical transport capabilities, and we are happy to partner with Air Methods to serve our community.”