There's good news for Colorado's babies and small children in need of critical care: Children's Hospital and Flight For Life have teamed up to provide a new helicopter that specializes in the transportation and care of pediatric patients.
The $4.1 million Airbus H130 T2 was added to Flight For Life Colorado's fleet on May 1, becoming its sixth helicopter and filling a big void with its roomier interior, smoother ride, and ability to support incubators and other state-of-the-art equipment needed for the Rocky Mountain region's tiniest patients. Called "Lifeguard 6," the aircraft is the first child-specific helicopter to be dispatched by Flight For Life Colorado (FFLC). “The new helicopter, the first of its kind for Children’s Colorado and our seven-state region, is designed to support the special care required for neonates and children," Joe Darmofal, Director of Flight Team, Outreach and Education at Children’s Colorado, said in a statement. Darmofal continued,Children transported by specially trained teams, such as those at Children’s Colorado / Flight For Life Colorado, have improved outcomes and fewer complications. Meeting the needs of our families and communities was a big part of our decision to select this larger aircraft, which can not only handle Colorado's high altitudes and hot summers, but is also quieter and more fuel efficient.”[caption id="attachment_15795" align="aligncenter" width="474"]
Via, Flight for Life[/caption]
Though it will be based in metro Denver, Lifeguard 6 will be able to serve neonatal and pediatric patients within 120 miles, including rural parts of Colorado, southwestern Nebraska, and southern Wyoming. Two specialty teams will be available 24/7, with specially-trained nurses, respiratory therapists, and a flight crew.
“The helicopter is an incredible tool that, combined with our world-class team of neonatal and pediatric experts who are the soul of our program, will help assure care to our most vulnerable patients as quickly as possible,” Darmofal said. “The helicopter and expanded staffing also illustrate the benefits of our strong and historic partnership with Centura and FFLC.”
Children’s Colorado and FFLC have partnered together since 1997 to ensure that area children can receive the urgent care and hospital transportation they need. With the combination of helicopter flights and the pediatric life support ambulance services already in place, they expect to transport 4,000 young patients among area Children's Colorado Network of Care facilities every year.
To learn more about Lifeguard 6, read the Children's Colorado statement from April 28.
