Air Methods is working with Cincinnati Children's in Ohio to use a dedicated helicopter transport service to help children with critical health needs access one of the US's top paediatric hospitals.

“Having a dedicated helicopter service will help us expedite the safe transfer of hundreds of neonatal and paediatric patients from outlying areas,” says Rich Falcone, MD, a paediatric surgeon who serves as the US nonprofit, paediatric health system's chief of staff. “The time it takes to transport kids from distant parts of Ohio or nearby states will be cut in half or more with this new service, and specialised care will begin as soon as our team arrives.”

Denver-headquartered Air Methods, which owns and operates medical transport helicopters across the US, will provide the aircraft and pilot. The Airbus Helicopters model EC145, which includes night-vision capability, has a cruising speed of over 150 miles per hour. The aircraft will have a roundtrip range of 300 miles from Cincinnati Children's Burnet Campus, though longer distances are possible in cases that involve refuelling.

“We're honoured to partner with Cincinnati Children's on a dedicated helicopter that will help more paediatric patients reach the exceptional, time-critical care they deserve,” comments Tony Raymond, Air Methods' senior vice president of major accounts. “Together, we're combining Air Methods' 45 years of experience delivering lifesaving care at more than 300 bases across 48 states with Cincinnati Children's renowned clinical expertise to provide the region with a highly equipped, expertly staffed aircraft that can truly make the difference between minutes lost and lives saved.”

The aircraft will be branded with Cincinnati Children's logo and colours. In alignment with its focus on children, the health system is holding a contest to choose a creative and original name for the helicopter. Participation is open to children 17 or younger. The winner and finalists will be invited to attend an official unveiling event.

Kids and families from all 50 states travel to Cincinnati Children's for care every year, including by airplane or helicopter. Cincinnati Children's has a helipad atop its critical care building at the Burnet Campus in Avondale and another at the health system's Liberty Campus in Butler County.

“Over the past few years, we've seen a steadily increasing volume of requests for air medical transport to Cincinnati Children's for critically ill patients from hospitals across the region,” states Kelly Besl, RN, clinical director of Cincinnati Children's critical care transport team. “A dedicated helicopter means we can bring Cincinnati Children's expertise directly to the bedside and ensure safe, efficient transport to a higher level of care.”

The helicopter crew will include a critical care registered nurse and a respiratory therapist, both employees of Cincinnati Children's. A physician will join when needed due to patient acuity. In all cases, physicians with Cincinnati Children's provide direction while patients are transported.

Flights are to begin in February 2026. They will be coordinated by the transport team at the Cincinnati Children's access hub, which recently opened on the Burnet Campus to optimise collaboration, capacity and patient flow for the health system's three hospitals and its more than 50 other sites of care.

The access hub is staffed by about 100 Cincinnati Children's employees, including the critical care transport team, the admission and transfer centre, and the home care and remote patient monitoring teams. The 7,500 sq ft access hub, which resembles NASA mission control, is equipped with a 29 ft wall of LED video screens that show patient flow as well as ambulance bays and the two helipads.

Air Methods will transport patients to Cincinnati Children's from other health systems in the region. The helicopter service won't involve emergency response to local traffic accidents or other incidents, which can be handled by other air transport firms or ground ambulances.