AURORA, Colo. — The Children's Hospital Colorado airborne fleet is growing, all through a new partnership with REACH Air Medical Services. The newly branded Children’s One fleet provides emergency medical transport services for neonatal and pediatric patients at the state, regional, national and international level.
The Children’s One aircraft fleet, which now includes an AirBus H-130 helicopter and a Pilatus PC-12NG, are equipped with pediatric-specific technology including high frequency ventilators and nitric oxide therapy.
Other additional features include investment in ultrasound technology that syncs with a mobile phone. This kind of technology can monitor breathing tube placement, help place IVs on patients, and look for internal bleeding and heart movement.
According to Children's Hospital, "the new partnership grants Children’s One access to REACH’s 400-aircraft backup fleet equipped with international and surge capabilities, allowing them to provide care to children, ages 0-18, nearly anywhere in the world. The Children’s One fleet is now comprised of one Airbus H-130 helicopter with the latest safety features and autopilot system, one Pilatus PC-12 fixed wing plane which offers the capability to land in more rural communities with shorter runways, and two dual-load ambulances capable of transporting twins. The ambulances have TVs and toys in the back to help keep kids distracted from their medical condition during long trips. These distraction techniques have been proven to reduce perceptions of pain and decrease hospital length of stay."
The Children's One fleet now includes the following:
- 64 crew members
- 32 nurses and respiratory therapists
- 8 pilots
- 3 mechanics
- 8 Emergency medical technicians
- 4 communication specialists
- 4 support staff
- 5 physician medical directors from different sub-specialties
- New fleet can access every county in Colorado
- New partnership allows transport access to national and international fleet
“We are so grateful for the opportunity to be working with one of the top pediatric hospitals in the United States and to work alongside great Global Medical Response partners like AMR, Guardian Flight, and AirMed International,” Sean Russell, President of REACH, said. “The family-centered care at the Children’s Hospital Colorado and its mission to improve the health of children through clinical excellence is in perfect alignment with the strategic values of REACH and our mission of always doing what is right for the patient.”
The REACH/Children's Hospital Colorado partnership coincides with the hospital's celebration of 45 years in flight. You can learn more about the aerial fleet at Childrenscolorado.org.
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