Boston MedFlight

Can you take family members aboard during patient transport in the helicopter, fixed wing aircraft or ground critical care vehicle?
How high does the helicopter fly?
How does the helicopter decide on a landing location when flying directly to a scene?
Is there a bill for services if BMF is requested then canceled en route to a hospital or to a scene?
Why do you wrap people in that silver foil?
What kind of education does the medical crew receive at Boston MedFlight?
What kind of specialty medical equipment does Boston MedlFlight carry?
Does BMF have a system of equipment retrieval for patients flown from the scene or trauma patients flown from hospital Emergency Departments?
How does BMF decide which vehicle is most appropriate on interfacility transport requests?
Are the medical crew trained as co-pilots and are the pilots medically trained?
How medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information?
If Boston MedFlight is unavailable, how would I contact other helicopters in the region?

1.	Can you take family members aboard during patient transport in the helicopter, fixed wing aircraft or ground critical care vehicle?
	The decision as to whether or not a family member can accompany the patient is multifaceted. In the event of helicopter or fixed wing transport, the weight and balance of the aircraft must be considered by the Pilot In Command (PIC). This is the maximum weight that the aircraft can transport safely at any given time. This includes the weight of the medical crew, equipment, fuel, pilot(s), and patient. Second, the needs of the patient are taken into account. Third, the overall space in the patient care area is also a consideration. During certain transports, there may not be sufficient room to accommodate a family member. Finally, the emotional state of the family member can contribute to the decision. Due to the above aircraft constraints, Boston MedFlight is often not able to accommodate a family member. Boston MedFlight will assist families and provide maps to the receiving facility as well as advise the facility of the arrival of family members. For the ground critical care vehicle, one family member may accompany the patient and crew during the transport. Regulations require that family members must travel in the passenger seat with seatbelts fastened.

2.	How high does the helicopter fly?
	Several factors determine the altitude of the helicopter. The pilot may be assigned a specific altitude by air traffic controllers when the aircraft is operating within controlled air spaces. The pilot must also factor in the height of obstructions, such as radio towers, so that they may fly well above the obstruction. Additionally, realizing that several noise sensitive areas exist, every effort is made to avoid flight in these air spaces however, avoidance is not guaranteed as flight is dictated by safety considerations first. Typically, the altitude flown within the Boston MedFlight service area is between 1,000 and 2,000 feet.
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3.	How does the helicopter decide on a landing location when flying directly to a scene?
	Communication between the entire team and ground personnel is of critical importance when Boston MedFlight responds to a scene. As part of our ability to provide service to EMS, each town Fire Department, together with our contracted pilots (PIC's) and Communications Specialists, coordinate a set of landing zones which meets all of the criteria for a safe landing. When responding to a scene, Boston MedFlight Communications Specialists communicate with local Fire and Police Department personnel to determine which pre-designated landing zone is most appropriate. Boston MedFlight is also capable of landing on highways, roadways, and parking lots, provided direct communication between Boston MedFlight and ground personnel exists, assuring landing zone safety.

4.	Is there a bill for services if BMF is requested then cancelled en route to a hospital or to a scene?
	No. As part of a Critical Care Transport System, Boston MedFlight understands that situations change while en route to the requested area. BMF does not bill the requesting agency or hospital on cancelled requests.
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5.	Why do you wrap people in that silver foil?
	There are two reasons for the foil, or "space blanket". The space blanket helps maintain normothermia, or normal body temperature, through its reflective property. Hypothermia in the critically ill or injured patient population has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The space blanket also serves to protect the transport vehicle, equipment and staff by acting as a barrier against body fluids and blood.

6.	What kind of education does the medical crew receive at Boston MedFlight?
	Each crew member must complete yearly rotations at the consortium hospitals in areas such as high-risk obstetrics, pediatric and adult respiratory therapy, pediatric and adult operating room, SICU (surgical intensive care unit), radiology, intra-aortic balloon pump management, NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), ATLS, and EMS. Additional rotations can be added if a crewmember has particular interests. In addition, there are regular case reviews and topic presentations at staff meetings.
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7.	What kind of specialty medical equipment does Boston MedFlight carry?
	Specialized, critical care equipment is available in all Boston MedFlight vehicles. All transport vehicles are equipped with transport ventilators capable of several modes of ventilation; invasive line monitoring equipment; internal and external pacing; external defibrillation; infusion pumps; Doppler; pulse oximetry; non-invasive blood pressure monitoring; extensive pharmacy and end tidal capnography. The transport vehicles can be reconfigured to accommodate an intra-aortic balloon pump or a neonatal isolette.

8.	Does BMF have a system of equipment retrieval for patients flown from the scene or trauma patients flown from hospital Emergency Departments?
	Yes. Boston MedFlight has a dedicated equipment retrieval employee who makes every effort to retrieve, clean, and deliver equipment to the Fire and Police Departments, hospitals, and EMS agencies. It is very important that every piece of equipment be LABELED clearly with the agency's ENTIRE name to facilitate tracking at different hospital locations.
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9.	How does BMF decide which vehicle is most appropriate on interfacility transport requests?
	First and foremost, all decisions are made with the patient's best interest and safety in mind. The Boston MedFlight Communications Specialists have access to many different resources to discuss the transport process and determine the best mode of transport. Among those resources are the sending facility staff, receiving facility staff, Boston MedFlight medical crew and Boston MedFlight medical control all of which are available 24 hours a day. Many different factors are taken into consideration when triaging between vehicles including patient acuity, pending emergency procedures, distance between the sending and receiving facilities, current and forecasted weather conditions, logistics at the sending and receiving sites and overall system status. The Boston MedFlight Communications Specialists work with all of the parties involved from start to finish, explaining decisions and discussing the logistics to ensure the patient gets the most appropriate vehicle for transport, whether Boston MedFlight completes the transport or not.

10.	Are the medical crew trained as co-pilots and are the pilots medically trained?
	No, however cross training is critical and as such, each member has pertinent information and a healthy respect for each other's roles. The medical crew is considered part of the aviation team. They assist the pilot in safety awareness in and about the aircraft, and identify and call out hazards such as other aircraft, wires, debris, and any other obstructions which may impact flight safety. The Pilots, although not employed by Boston MedFlight, are also an integral part of our team.
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11.	How medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information?
	Notice of Privacy Practices

12.	If Boston MedFlight is unavailable, how would I contact other helicopters in the region?
	Boston MedFlight communications specialists will contact the closest appropriate program and will conference call you and the communications center of the respective program. Working collaboratively with other programs, we will assist you in obtaining the service you need.

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