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Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and JeffSTAT, Jefferson’s ground medical transportation service, have begun to provide air medical transport services, making it the only all-inclusive provider of ground and air medical transportation in the Philadelphia region.

The medically equipped helicopter and transport team will service all hospitals in the Delaware Valley, including member hospitals of the Jefferson Health System.

JeffSTAT will operate an EC 135, single pilot, twin-engine, instrument-equipped helicopter capable of traveling at speeds up to 150 mph and owned by Air Methods (NASDAQ: AIRM) of Englewood, Colorado. This is Air Methods’ first foray in the Philadelphia market. Air Methods is the largest provider of medical helicopter services in the world.

Jefferson Hospital transports approximately 400 patients annually by air and has relied on outside helicopter services in the past. But this new service will provide Jefferson, its physicians and patients with dedicated air transportation, said JeffSTAT director Brian Sweeney, R.N., MBA, CHE. Most of the patients transported to Jefferson Hospital by air require treatment for aneurysms and cerebral hemorrhages, under the care of a skilled neurosurgeon, as well as for stroke, spinal cord injury, trauma and cardiac care.

“The addition of a helicopter to JeffSTAT’s fleet of vehicles will reduce our dependence on other helicopter services that were not always available when we needed them, “said Sweeney. “Jefferson is pleased to be able to provide helicopter transport services to our physicians. This new resource will help expedite care to patients with serious illnesses or injuries.”

While most helicopter services are unable to operate during adverse weather conditions, JeffSTAT will be able to safely provide transportation via ambulance. The availability of both ground and air transportation from one source will also make it easier for hospitals and physicians to coordinate services, because they will not have to rely on two separate companies.

“It’s one-stop shopping in terms of patient transportation,” Sweeney said.

The helicopter is based at the Sterling Aviation Heliport on Columbus Boulevard on the Delaware River in Philadelphia, and is available twenty-four hours a day for both inter-hospital transports and on scene trauma transports. A flight paramedic, flight nurse and pilot are based full-time at the heliport. The helicopter can accommodate up to two patients, he said.

As part of the agreement between JeffSTAT and Air Methods, Air Methods will manage the aviation aspects of the program, including helicopter maintenance, pilots and mechanics, communications, and aviation operations. Jefferson will supply the medical crew, consisting of critical care transport nurses and paramedics, medical direction for the program, training and medical oversight of the program. Jefferson has added 10 full-time paramedics and nurses to its staff of 90 to serve the helicopter service.

“We are pleased to be able to enter the Philadelphia marketplace and partner with JeffSTAT, an experienced provider of ground medical transportation services,” said Ed Rupert, vice president of the Northeast region for Air Methods. “Their reputation for service excellence and their knowledge of the transport industry will help us build a successful air medical transport program in Philadelphia.” JeffSTAT, a subsidiary of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, has been providing medical transportation services to the Delaware Valley since 1988. With a reputation of providing care for patients of the highest acuity, JeffSTAT has grown to become one of the most widely recognized critical care transport programs in the region. JeffSTAT also provides Intensive Care Nursery, Advanced Life Support, Basic Life Support and Paratransit services. To request JeffSTAT services twenty-four hours a day, call the dispatch center at 1-800-JEFF121.