The Carle Health AirLife team gathered at Frasca Field airport in Urbana, Illinois to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the US aeromedical service's partnership with Carle Health.

AirLife is a flying emergency room where personnel can provide more specialised services to patients. Each helicopter provides room for efficient access to the patient, equipment and medicines and their interiors include the very latest patient care equipment, GPS, satellite tracking and avionics.

“AirLife's highly trained crews provide an indispensable resource by efficiently extending the scope and reach of our critical care services from our tertiary medical care at Carle Foundation Hospital to our surrounding communities throughout the region,” says AirLife managing director and medical director Brad Weir. “We expertly care for patients throughout the life span from high-risk OB, neonatal, paediatric, adult and geriatric patients with a variety of severe illness and injuries. Our crews bring timely compassionate care to our patients wherever they are.”

The flight crew consists of experienced EMS pilots, critical care flight registered nurses and critical care flight paramedics. Each team provides patient transportation between facilities and transportation from emergency scenes. AirLife staff also work closely with specialised NICU and labour and delivery transport teams to provide the highest quality of care to these populations.

AirLife performs hundreds of missions a year throughout Illinois and even into Indiana. In two decades AirLife has provided care for thousands of patients, continuing this key service through the pandemic.

“We're here for patients where they need us, when they need us,” adds Weir.