LifeLine Helicopter Information

LifeLine helicopters are vehicles used by the LifeLine Critical Care Transport, a service provided around the Indianapolis, Indiana area. The LifeLine program sends out aircraft and ambulances to help and transport medical patients in critical condition. Their range extends about 150 miles around the central Indianapolis area, and works primarily out of the Methodist Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children. Due to the success of the LifeLine program, similar helicopter and aircraft emergency transport programs have been started in other areas across the United States.

Process

• Traditionally, LifeLine has used four BK117 helicopters, two neonatal and pediatric-oriented ambulances, one adult ambulance, and one airplane to transport patients to the hospital. The helicopters are based at Methodist Hospital, Howard Regional Health System in Kokomo, Columbus Regional Hospital, and Terre Haute, where they wait for critical care cases. Given that weather conditions permit flight, the helicopters can reach patients much faster than a traditional ambulance, picking them up and carrying them to the hospital for further treatment. The aircraft carry blood for emergency transfusions, a selection of drugs, and the instruments and tools necessary to begin treatment for a variety of medical conditions.

Trauma Patients

• The primary purpose for LifeLine helicopters is to save patients who have suffered traumatic injuries. They use the "golden hour" argument to justify the expense the program, stating that patients who receive proper care within the first hour after their injury have a much higher survival rate, as high as 62 percent on average. The sooner such patients can be transported to an operating room where their bleeding is stopped, the better the outlook.

Heart Attack and Stroke Patients

• LifeLine helicopters also work with heart attack and stroke patients where time is critical. According to research cited by the LifeLine program, opening blocked arteries and repairing similar problems within the first 90 minutes of a heart attack offers the best chance for recovery. The longer the heart attack persists, the more damage is done. The case is similar with strokes and other brain injuries, where blood can clog veins and cause permanent cell damage until the condition is treated.

History

• The LifeLine helicopters began their flights in 1979, working to transport patients in critical condition. The neonatal and pediatric branch of the service began separately and received their funding from donations from such organizations as Kiwanis and public support, until 2004, when they joined the LifeLine program to combine their helicopter transport abilities.

New Additions

• The most recent additions to the Lifeline program include a King 90 airplane and a Lear jet, both added in 2007. The King 90 is used primarily for cross-state transport, where patients need to be transported to hospitals in their own state. The Lear jet is reserved for international transports.