Question:  What type of transport vehicles does North Colorado Med Evac have?

Answer:   We operate 2 Bell 407 helicopters.  If weather precludes us from transporting a patient by helicopter from North Colorado Medical Center to another facility, we have used Weld County Ambulance for ground transports.

Question:  Can North Colorado Med Evac fly in any weather?

Answer:  No.  Med Evac flies under visual flight regulations as set by Med-Trans, our helicopter vendor.  We can fly in the rain and snow so long as we have good visibility, but not in fog.  If any member of the crew is not comfortable with the flight, then the call will be aborted and arrangements made for patient to be transported by another means. 

Question:  Who calls North Colorado Med Evac for a transport?

Answer:  Interfacility transfers are usually placed by the sending physician or nurse.  For interfacility transports, we need to have an appropriate receiving hospital and accepting physician.  Scene responses are generally requested by EMS, Law, or Fire agencies. 

Question:  What is a "stand-by"?

Answer:   Med Evac responds to two types of calls, a "Stand-By" and "GO".  A "Stand-By" gives the flight crew advanced warning of a potential flight.  A stand-by benefits the crew by allowing them to check weather and fuel status on the helicopter as well as gather and wait at the helicopter, responding to a call quicker.  If the helicopter is not needed, then the stand-by is cancelled.  A "GO" page tells the crew that a patient transport flight is now needed.  For scene responses, the crew heads to the scene of the call.  For interfacility calls, the flight nurse will call the sending hospital for a brief patient report. 

Question:  Do all patients flown by North Colorado Med Evac return to North Colorado Medical Center?

Answer:   No.  We will transport a patient to the nearest appropriate facility for scene responses while interfacility transports are dictated by the sending physician.  Depending on the circumstances, we will fly children directly to a pediatric specialty center in Denver. 

Question:  What types of patients does North Colorado Med Evac transport?

Answer:   Med Evac transports critically ill children and adults with any medical, surgical, or trauma related condition, and is capable of transporting patients with intra aortic balloon pumps.  Unless the call is from a scene, we generally do not transport neonates (age less than 30 days old) or high risk obstetrical mothers.  

Question:  Does North Colorado Med Evac do more scene or interfacility flights?

Answer.   We do about 50 percent scene and 50 percent interfacility transports. 

Question:.  How many patients can you transport?

Answer:  The Bell 407 is only capable of transporting one patient.

Question:  How far does North Colorado Med Evac fly?

Answer:   We fly within a 300 mile radius from Greeley.

Question:  Who staffs the North Colorado Med Evac helicopters?

Answer:   The flight team is composed of a pilot, registered nurse, and a paramedic.