HCA Houston unveils new helicopter ambulance, training program

HCA Houston Healthcare unveiled its new helicopter ambulance service Jan. 24 in addition to a new training program for EMS personnel, according to a press release.

The two new AIRLife helicopters will operate 24/7 out of the The Woman's Hospital of Texas in Houston and HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe. With a range of 120 miles, the helicopters will help move patients in need of higher care as well as respond to 911 calls.

“Time to treatment is critical for trauma care, particularly with cardiac and stroke patients,” said Allen Sims, EMS executive at HCA Houston Healthcare, in the press release. “AIRLife is an important step toward improving access to emergency services in the communities we serve.”

The helicopters will be staffed with pilots, flight nurses and paramedics.

HCA Houston Healthcare also announced a new mobile simulator training program for EMS officials. The “simbulance” has a variety of mannequins capable of simulating various medical emergencies such as seizures, breech deliveries or airway blockages. The $600,000 program has three remote-controlled cameras, wireless microphones and monitors for peer observation.

“With this unit, paramedics can train on cases they don’t see every day without leaving their station,” Sims adds. “That’s a huge plus, particularly for smaller departments in outlying areas.”

The program is a mobile training center and can be set up at any Houston-area EMS facility.