Health Care

Where ER care takes flight

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  • By Matthew Gomez
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9. Flight nurse Skye Vriesenga, RN, smiles at the end of another successful Flight 1 patient transport assignment.
Flight nurse Skye Vriesenga, RN, smiles at the end of another successful Flight 1 patient transport assignment.

Photo essay by Matt Rainey

*Members of our Communications team joined AdventHealth Emergency Medical Services on a simulation drill aboard a Flight 1 helicopter between two AdventHealth ER locations. The drill exemplified in real-time the procedures that take place in an actual emergency. Photographer Matt Rainey captured the images.*

AdventHealth Emergency Medical Services has two Flight 1 helicopters as part of its patient transport program. The helicopters fly patients in emergency situations among the various AdventHealth hospital campuses in Central Florida. Last year, EMS transported roughly 45,000 people via ground and air, 1,000 of which were onboard the Flight 1 helicopters.

“Patients rely on the efficiency of Flight 1 and our EMS crew, and so do the physicians in the ER,” said Dr. Max Baumgardner, medical director, AdventHealth Altamonte, Lake Mary and Oviedo. “Time is precious, and the skills of our EMS team in delivering our patients makes it possible for our ER nurses and physicians to use their skills to help save lives, bring comfort and get them the advanced care they may need.”

The Flight 1 program provides efficient and effective medical care and transport for patients en route to AdventHealth hospitals and Emergency Departments. Many of the patients who receive care in the ER move forward with advanced care in critical areas such as Cardiac, Orthopedics, Neurology and Digestive Health.

Photo captions:

  1. Todd Collette, RRT, scans the approach to AdventHealth Orlando as a Flight 1 helicopter brings a mock patient to the emergency room.
  2. Flight 1 EMS workers transport a mock patient to AdventHealth East Orlando.
  3. A mock patient arrives with Flight 1 EMS workers at an AdventHealth ER.
  4. During a simulation drill at the AdventHealth East Orlando ER, Todd Collette, RRT, and Skye Vriesenga, RN, consult with an ER nurse to share vital information about a mock patient transported to the ER for immediate attention.
  5. Flight 1 lands at the helipad at AdventHealth Orlando and a mock patient is transported to the ER by Todd Collette, RRT, and Skye Vriesenga, RN.
1. Todd Collette, RRT, scans the approach to AdventHealth Orlando as a Flight 1 helicopter brings a mock patient to the emergency room.
Flight 1 EMS workers transport a mock patient to AdventHealth East Orlando.
A mock patient arrives with Flight 1 EMS workers at an AdventHealth ER.

During a simulation drill at the AdventHealth East Orlando ER, Todd Collette, RRT, and Skye Vriesenga, RN, consult with an ER nurse to share vital information about a mock patient transported to the ER for immediate attention.

Flight 1 lands at the helipad at AdventHealth Orlando and a mock patient is transported to the ER by Todd Collette, RRT, and Skye Vriesenga, RN.

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