FLIGHT Countywide Rescue Effort Proves Successful May 10 began as an ordinary day at Ravenna Fire Station Brad Ryczek Adam George

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FLIGHTnotes Updates from Metro Life Flight Summer 2011 Countywide Rescue Effort Proves Successful May 10 began as an ordinary day at Ravenna Fire Station.

Just minutes after that initial page, first responders Brad Ryczek and Adam George arrived at the scene near the Portage County Airport.

Firefighter George said there many spectators, but he was focused on helping the victims. He was shocked to discover that his neighbor and his neighbor s wife were the passengers.

1 FLIGHTnotes Updates from Metro Life Flight Summer 2011 Countywide Rescue Effort Proves Successful May 10 began as an ordinary day at Ravenna Fire Station. At about 1800, pagers started buzzing for what the crew assumed was the daily pager test. But within seconds, the crew heard the dispatcher say plane crash. This was no test. Just minutes after that initial page, first responders Brad Ryczek and Adam George arrived at the scene near the Portage County Airport. Initially, they had limited information, but witnesses reported that there were three people in the plane and one passenger was conscious and communicating. Firefighter George said there many spectators, but he was focused on helping the victims. He was shocked to discover that his neighbor and his neighbor s wife were the passengers. He couldn t let emotions distract him. George needed to help these three critical patients, get them out of the plane and have them transported quickly. so close. It s comforting to have them in our neighborhood, said George. Mutual aid from surrounding communities also responded, but one of the challenges was the remote area and getting to the scene through the sea of spectators. Engineer Rob Dudley knew they needed cordless equipment for extrication, so he called for mutual aid from Kent to respond with its heavy rescue (cordless) equipment, said Ryczek. That was a great call and helped speed the extrication process. Although it was a prolonged extrication, the paramedics were able to assess and triage the victims accordingly. The first victim out was seated in the front passenger seat. He was transported by ground to Robinson Photos: Courtesy of Mike Sever Upon initial assessment of the victims, Metro Life Flight was requested. Now that Metro Life Flight is based at the Portage County Airport, Ravenna paramedics knew the team would arrive quickly and provide assistance with the patients before transporting them to a trauma center. We definitely appreciate having Life Flight Call Metro Life Flight: We definitely appreciate having Metro Life Flight so close. It s comforting to have them in our neighborhood.

2 Memorial Hospital, while the pilot and the female passenger were being treated by Metro Life Flight medical crew and local paramedics. At this point, another Metro Life Flight helicopter was en route to the scene. Due to the efficiency of the crews and the interchangeable equipment, the second aircraft was on scene for just eight minutes before transferring the female passenger to Akron City. The Metro Life Flight medical crew was extremely impressed with Ravenna Fire and the command presence at the scene, led by Captain Ken Kaufman. We assist with many scenes, but rarely is the environment as calm and as focused as this one. The crews displayed quick and safe extrication skills, great patient assessment and report, and proficiency in patient care, all while keeping things moving toward transporting the patients in a safe and timely manner, said Wendy Atkinson, RN, Flight Nurse Specialist. All three victims survived the plane crash and recovered at Akron City Hospital. Mutual aid was provided by Kent, Ravenna Township, Rootstown, Mantua and the Ohio State Patrol. Members of the Ravenna Fire Department credit the calm environment to the mutual aid they received that day. From crowd control to securing a landing zone to the extrications, all departments worked diligently as a team. The rescue effort speaks for the county as a whole, said George. There were no egos involved. We all had one common goal: Get the patients out and moved safely and quickly. When it s critical, there is only ONE number to call: Metro Life Flight:

Metro Life Flight AUTO LAUNCH Program For ACUTE patients requiring rapid transfer, call Metro Life Flight (1-800-233-5433) to facilitate auto-launch and auto-acceptance.

3 Metro Life Flight AUTO LAUNCH Program For ACUTE patients requiring rapid transfer, call Metro Life Flight ( ) to facilitate auto-launch and auto-acceptance. Auto-launch is the quick and rapid dispatch of an aircraft before collecting additional information, such as patient destination. Metro Life Flight transports patients to any appropriate tertiary care facility. However, to provide ease of access for referring physicians, MetroHealth will automatically ACCEPT the following patient conditions transported by Metro Life Flight. Pediatrics Any child < 18 with acute injury or requiring ICU admission AAA Patient with both of the following: Suspicion for AAA or known hx of AAA and Hemodynamic instability Neurology All Intracranial Hemorrhages Ischemic strokes Anterior Circulation <6 hours Posterior Circulation <12 hours Trauma All ages with acute injury Acute Cardiac Emergencies Acute MI Resuscitated Cardiac Arrest 3

4 Different Crew Configurations Same High-Level Care For the past 28 years, Metro Life Flight has remained committed to providing high-level care to the residents of Northeast Ohio.

intubation Surgical cricothyroidotomy Tube thoracostomy (chest tube insertion) Pericardiocentesis Procedural sedation ranging from conscious to deep for painful procedures Furthermore, Metro Life

4 4 Different Crew Configurations Same High-Level Care For the past 28 years, Metro Life Flight has remained committed to providing high-level care to the residents of Northeast Ohio. Our highly trained air medical crews include physicians, flight nurse specialists and acute care nurse practitioners who work closely with medical direction at MetroHealth when providing advanced critical patient care. Regardless which crew members arrive to assist the patient, ALL members of our medical team are highly trained and capable of performing life-and-limb-saving interventions such as: Endotracheal intubation Surgical cricothyroidotomy Tube thoracostomy (chest tube insertion) Pericardiocentesis Procedural sedation ranging from conscious to deep for painful procedures Furthermore, Metro Life Flight continues to carry two units of O negative blood as well as a portable ultrasound that can be used to identify pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, intraabdominal bleeding and fetal status. Metro Life Flight also provides a dedicated ground mobile ICU for adult and pediatric critical care patient transfers. Not all critical care transport providers have the same capabilities. Therefore, when your patient requires transport, you have the right to inquire about clinical capabilities available. Be sure to ask if other programs carry blood, place chest tubes and whether or not they have protable ultrasound. Metro Life Flight The Difference is Critical Patient Spotlight: Scott Mowery On a hot August day in 1988, Scott Mowery just wanted to cool off in the lake and hang out with his friends. Growing up in Bay Village, the 23- year-old often visited Huntington Beach to swim or, on this day, just float in a raft. Relaxing on the raft, Mowery and his friend saw a boat coming toward them, but they were certain they were visible. With the boat fast approaching, the two men did their best to paddle out of the way, but it was getting too close for comfort; they dove in the lake to avoid a motor boat vs. raft collision. Mowery was caught in the boat s motor and sustained very serious traumatic injuries. Once bystanders realized what occurred, many came to assist with the rescue - the injuries and blood loss were cumbersome. First responders called Metro Life Flight and the helicopter landed on the beach to quickly transport Mowery to MetroHealth, where he underwent multiple surgeries and rehabiliation. Medical professionals told him it was a miracle he survived the accident. Seven months later, after being told he may never walk again, Mowery walked out of MetroHealth to live the rest of his life to the fullest. I needed to carry Metro Life Flight with me every day Coming close to death and paralysis, Mowery was grateful for his second chance. He feels strongly that Metro Life Flight played a significant role in saving his life and wanted a daily reminder of his miracle. I needed to carry Metro Life Flight with me every day, says Mowery. Thanks to a tattoo etched on his left arm, the words Life Flight are now with him daily as well as two yellow and blue lightning bolts signifying the speed of response and transport. When I have a bad day, I look at my arm and it puts things in perspective; I slow down to smell the roses, Mowery says proudly. Mowery, who now owns and operates a landscaping business, lives in Westlake with his wife. After many years of avoiding the water, he now enjoys spending his free time on their boat in Lake Erie.

2011-2012 Metro Life Flight Lecture Series First Monday of the Month 7:00-9:00 p.m.

5 Metro Life Flight Lecture Series First Monday of the Month 7:00-9:00 p.m. Save the following dates for our upcoming lectures Monday, October 3, 2011 Monday, November 7, 2011 Monday, December 5, 2011 January, 2012 Monday, February 6, 2012 Monday, March 5, 2012 MetroHealth Medical Center TriPoint Medical Center MetroHealth Medical Center HAPPY NEW YEAR! EMH Regional Healthcare System MetroHealth Medical Center Please note that there will not be a January lecture. Look for updates, lecture topics and more information on our web site, and our facebook page - The Metro Life Flight lecture series is a valued resource to the Lorain County EMS agencies, our hospital and pre-hospital personnel. This education helps improve the quality of care and outcomes for our patients. We are excited to host another in the series of Metro Life Flight lectures this year at EMH. - Tim Hughes, RN, EMT-P, EMS-I, EMS Coordinator, Educator, EMH Regional Healthcare System 5

6 Continuing Education Metro Life Flight is proud to provide continuing education lectures to EMS and nursing professionals to enhance patient care as we work together to improve outcomes. All lectures are prepared for pre-hospital and hospital providers. Lectures are available upon request for groups larger than 40 or multiple EMS agencies or departments. Newly created lectures include: Capnography The lecture discusses how it can be applied to pre-hospital care. Capnography is particularly important for confirming endotracheal tube placement, guiding care for cardiac arrest management and assessing the adequacy of the patient s ventilation. Injury Prevention Head Injuries in Sports. As you prepare for posting crews at sporting events, this lecture will assist you in evaluating and treating head injuries during these activities. Injury Prevention: More than Accidental Care, is an introduction to why prevention activities are needed and how EMS, fire and health care professionals can assist in delivering that message to the public. This lecture also explores the top three mechanisms of injury for both the nation and the state and how you can make an impact. Public Relations Events and Safety Community involvement is very important to Metro Life Flight and we strive to accommodate the many requests we receive for a helicopter visit. However, our main objective is to be readily available to meet the needs of the critically ill patients. For consideration, the following criteria must be met: Requests should be submitted 45 days prior to event Cooperation with local fire, police and/or EMS agencies for landing zone assistance Event attendance must exceed 75 people Landing zone safety reminders: Landing zone (LZ) area is 100 ft x 100 ft LZ must be clear of hazards, such as tables, loose paper, unsecured signs, trees, wires and any debris Crowds must be at least 200 feet away from LZ One contact person on the ground for LZ brief via frequency provided Please keep crowds controlled when approaching the aircraft For landing zone questions, contact Lead Pilot David Reese at For a comprehensive list of all offered lectures, please visit our web site: Crowds must be at least 200 feet away Wind Direction Crowds must be at least 200 feet away Upcoming Community Lecture in Wayne County 100 Feet Wednesday, September 7, 7 p.m Farm Injuries Nate Hodgson, RN, BSN Flight Nurse Specialist Wayne County Fire and Rescue Regional Training Facility 90 degree approach (9 o clock position) Emergency Vehicle 100 Feet Helicopter Approach Emergency Vehicle 90 degree approach (3 o clock position) 6

Deanna Harris, RN, BSN, CEN, EMT-B Metro Life Flight will be well represented at the 2011 Air

Wicinski, RN; Paula Mickan, RN; Craig Bates, MD Man in the Machine: Case Studies in Field

Approach to Quality in Your Organization Presented by Scott Kunkel, RN Welcome to Metro Life

Kevin Quick, RN Luke Williams, RN Critical Care Paramedics Size Matters Presented by Kristin

Bates, MD and Brendan Hawthorn, MD Jeremy Bond Steve Evans Carri Thompson Also attending AMTC

7 Kudos to our Crew Congratulations! KUDOS to the Staff - We know our staff is the best of the best and we are happy to share exciting news with you! Congratulations to flight nurse specialists Deanna Harris, RN, BSN, CEN, EMT-B, on her recent appointment to Ohio s EMS Board. Nominated by the Ohio State Firefighters Association, Deanna has extensive experience involving every aspect of EMS. Deanna has also been asked to sit on the National Safety Councils Teen Driving Safety Coalition. Deanna Harris, RN, BSN, CEN, EMT-B Metro Life Flight will be well represented at the 2011 Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC) with several of our team members presenting impressive lectures. Presentations include: Choices and Challenges: Field Perimortem C-Section Presented by Stacy Wicinski, RN; Paula Mickan, RN; Craig Bates, MD Man in the Machine: Case Studies in Field Amputations Presented by John Singleton, RN Program Analytics: Capturing the Multi-disciplinary Approach to Quality in Your Organization Presented by Scott Kunkel, RN Welcome to Metro Life Flight We are pleased to welcome the following new staff to our team: Flight Nurse Specialists Kevin Quick, RN Luke Williams, RN Critical Care Paramedics Size Matters Presented by Kristin Wallie, RN Ultrasound in the Pre-Hospital Environment: A Practical Workshop Presented by Craig Bates, MD and Brendan Hawthorn, MD Jeremy Bond Steve Evans Carri Thompson Also attending AMTC are the 2010 Meti Man Competition Champs: Christian Brienik, RN, and Nathan Hodgson, RN. They will once again be competing in the Meti Man Competition. Good luck to Christian and Nathan! Hank Smitley JP Michalak Congratulations to Barry Seth, Communication Specialist, who was promoted to Team Leader in our Flight Communications Office. Metro Life Flight welcomes the following new pilots to our aviation team: Jerry Frye, Eric Torello, Travis West and Tony Carolla 7

Metro Life Flight MetroHealth Medical Center 2500 MetroHealth Drive Cleveland, Ohio 44109-1998 Presort St

8 Metro Life Flight MetroHealth Medical Center 2500 MetroHealth Drive Cleveland, Ohio Presort Std U.S. Postage PAID Cleveland, Ohio Permit No. 1 Metro Life Flight s rotor wing aircraft are operated by Metro Aviation Inc. Find us on Facebook Receive updates about our program and learn about community events and education classes in your area. 8 When you were lifting off, you waved to our family and gave us the thumbs up. That small gesture helped us feel comforted at such a tragic time. - Grateful family member

AirCurrents. Mobile Intensive Care Unit Marks Twenty Years of Service. Connect With Us. In This Issue

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