A common aphorism in the medical community comes from Dr. Theodore Woodward who said in the 1940s, “When you hear hoofbeats behind you, think of horses, not zebras.” It’s a way of reminding medical practitioners that the most common explanation is usually correct. In other words, Occam’s Razor is usually correct. But what happens when the most common explanation isn’t correct? What happens when you turn around and find a zebra looking at you? In this month’s episode, our team finds a pediatric patient who seems to have had a stroke. Stroke is very uncommon in children, but that doesn’t mean it never happens. Listen in as our team starts with the basics, analyzes the feedback, and arrives at their conclusion. We’re joined by Maria Milagros Galardi and William McCray, RN.
Interested in obtaining CE credit for this episode? Visit OnlineAscend.com to learn more. Listeners can purchase individual episode credits or subscribe to the Critical Care Review Bundle and gain access to all episode CE Credits.
AMPED is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more. To listen to the episode or catch up on past discussions, visit https://ampedpodcast.libsyn.com/air-methods-prehospital-education-podcast-ep-56-the-zebra-call. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #AMPEDpod on social media.
Extreme weather once again plays an important factor in this month’s case where our team comes upon a car accident victim who has a litany of injuries that make care extremely challenging, even in optimal conditions. Featuring a pilot for the first time ever in AMPED history, we hear from our clinicians about how to give our patient the best shot at survival, and from our pilot about the many considerations he has to make in order to expedite his arrival at a care facility. Hear these unique insights in this fascinating episode of AMPED. We’re joined by Danica Mainridge RN, BSN, CEN, CPEN, CCRN, CFRN; Megan Thompson, RN, MSN, MBA, CEN, CFRN, TCRN, TNS, CES-A; and Mikaele Kerner, Helicopter Pilot.
AMPED is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more. To listen to the episode or catch up on past discussions, visit https://ampedpodcast.libsyn.com/air-methods-prehospital-education-podcast-ep-55-the-sum-of-all-efforts. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #AMPEDpod on social media.
A critically ill Influenza A patient, fully intubated and struggling to breathe, requires emergency transport for possible ECMO. Even under ideal conditions, a case like this demands intensive care and presents significant challenges. But when extreme weather disrupts key equipment, the situation becomes even more complex. In this episode, discover how our team navigated these obstacles to support the patient’s recovery and survival. We’re joined by Matt Johnson, NRP Flight Paramedic and Anna Schmick, BSN, RN, CFRN Flight Nurse.
AMPED is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more. To listen to the episode or catch up on past discussions, visit https://ampedpodcast.libsyn.com/air-methods-prehospital-education-podcast-ep-54-chilling-complications. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #AMPEDpod on social media.
Stormy skies or sunny days, Air Methods is always ready to respond. Inclement weather can complicate patient transport, but with our deep expertise, diverse resources, and commitment to safety, we work tirelessly to get all patients the right care, at the right time, in the right setting.
If weather conditions prevent aircraft from flying, our work does not stop. Call us anytime, and our team will walk through available options with you to guide the best next step. When necessary, we coordinate ground transport to ensure every patient still receives timely, critical care.
We understand how important it is to stay informed during patient transport. That is why our team provides:
Our FAA-recognized Safety Management System reflects a strong safety culture that guides every decision we make. Advanced protocols allow us to protect both our patients and our crews, ensuring that no matter the challenge, safety remains our top priority.
Together, the highly trained teams in our Operational Control Center and AirCom dispatch play an essential role in our operations, our safety infrastructure, and in helping find the right transport solution.
Our Operational Control Center uses a range of advanced technologies to predict and track weather conditions. This enables crews to plan ahead and remain prepared even when the forecast changes unexpectedly.
When weather rolls in, we work to find solutions.
No two transport situations are the same, which is why our diverse fleet is designed to handle a variety of scenarios.
Day or night, rain or shine, Air Methods is committed to supporting all communities with rapid response and exceptional patient care every day of the year. When weather strikes, we are a partner you can trust to help navigate the next steps and keep every patient moving safely. To learn more about our safety technologies and programs, visit our safety page here.
A car accident on the highway sees the vehicle rollover nine times and ejects our patient out of the vehicle with a multitude of life threatening injuries. Our team refers to our patient as the sickest trauma patient any of them had ever seen. The outlook is very bleak, but our team perseveres and gives every effort to help increase the patient’s odds of survival. While not ultimately successful, this episode provides critical insight and valuable lessons learned from our team about how important providing the very best care is, even when the cause appears lost. We’re joined by Mark Fowler NRP, FP-C.
AMPED is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more. To listen to the episode or catch up on past discussions, visit https://ampedpodcast.libsyn.com/air-methods-prehospital-education-podcast-ep-53-beyond-the-protocol-a-trauma-teams-enduring-final-commitment. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #AMPEDpod on social media.
A motorcycle accident leaves our patient with a litany of serious injuries and severe bleeding, yet he remains alert and talking to the team… but that’s not the only one he talks to. Our patient puts his life in the hands of a higher power and our Air Methods crew as they work to address his numerous injuries and ailments and get him to a hospital. Hear from the patient himself through this harrowing experience. We’re joined by patient Kyle Hoover, Sarah Baker, RN, PHRN, CEN, CCRN, CFRN, and Jesse Weller, NRP, FPC.
AMPED is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more. To listen to the episode or catch up on past discussions, visit https://ampedpodcast.libsyn.com/air-methods-prehospital-education-podcast-ep-52-inner-mechanics-a-motorcycle-accident-and-the-art-of-resilience. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #AMPEDpod on social media.
Our team is dispatched to a scene expecting to assist a pregnant woman in footling breech labor—but when they arrive, the baby has already been delivered and is receiving Basic Life Support (BLS). She’s in critical condition, and the team must act fast. How do they pivot in this high-stakes moment? What life-saving steps do they take as the baby goes into cardiac arrest? As is often the case, the key is going back to the basics. Tune in for this intense and emotional episode, featuring an unexpected twist you won’t see coming. We’re joined by Breanna Bingel RN, BSN, PHRN, TNS, CFRN, CEN, TCRN, CTRN. As always, thanks for listening and fly safe!
AMPED is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more. To listen to the episode or catch up on past discussions, visit https://ampedpodcast.libsyn.com/air-methods-prehospital-education-podcast-ep-50-theres-no-place-like-home-or-the-basics. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #AMPEDpod on social media.
When two flight teams are dispatched to a scene, the first to arrive typically takes the sickest patient—but what happens when conditions on the ground shift that plan? How do teams seamlessly tag in and out to ensure the best care? In this episode of the AMPED Podcast, we break down a high-speed highway collision where multiple patients suffer severe trauma, including traumatic brain injuries, Beck’s triad, tension pneumothorax, and flail chest. With a special guest ride-along, our team navigates critical decisions and life-saving interventions in a fast-paced transport to the hospital. Tune in to hear how teamwork, adaptability, and expertise come together in the face of chaos. We’re joined by Breanna Bingel RN, BSN, PHRN, TNS, CFRN, CEN, TCRN, CTRN; Kayce Thompson, BSN, RN, Flight Nurse; Spenser Rich, RN-Paramedic, CFRN, FPC; Christopher Wright, BSN, RN, CFRN and Shawnee Trindle, ER RN. As always, thanks for listening and fly safe!
AMPED is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more. To listen to the episode or catch up on past discussions, visit https://ampedpodcast.libsyn.com/air-methods-prehospital-education-podcast-ep-49-tag-youre-it. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #AMPEDpod on social media.
A pinkie promise is one you can’t break—and for our patient in this month’s episode, it was a lifeline. Stricken with a life-threatening COVID infection, he vowed to his wife that he would pull through. And he did—but not without countless obstacles along the way. Our team fought not only his severe COVID case but also a relentless pneumonia infection that ultimately led to ECMO, a last-resort intervention. Along the way, they faced unprecedented challenges: transporting him in a prone position for the first time in over 20 years, navigating an unexpected hailstorm mid-transport, and witnessing his incredible journey to recovery—including a life-changing lung transplant. Tune in to hear this extraordinary story of resilience, innovation, and the power of a promise. We’re joined by Jeff Dickson, NRP, FP-C and the Wilkins family. As always, thanks for listening and fly safe!
AMPED is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more. To listen to the episode or catch up on past discussions, visit https://ampedpodcast.libsyn.com/air-methods-prehospital-education-podcast-ep-48-the-pinkie-promise To join the conversation, use the hashtag #AMPEDpod on social media.
The holidays are a season of hope, a time to believe in the extraordinary. Remember the classic holiday film Miracle on 34th Street? Just when faith seems lost, a series of unexpected events brings about the impossible. This week on the Air Methods Prehospital Education Podcast, we share a real-life story that captures that same spirit—a tale of resilience, determination, and the power of preparation in the face of a life-threatening pediatric emergency. Picture this: a child in cardiac arrest, the festive joy overshadowed by an urgent fight to save a life. Our crew, confronted with a medical mystery and a young life in peril, refused to give up. Like Kris Kringle himself, they needed more than just skill—they needed a touch of magic, a glimmer of the extraordinary.
Join us as the AMPED crew—Medical Director Dr. Wilmas, Flight Nurse Nyssa Hattaway, and I—delve into this inspiring case. Together, we explore how preparation, quick thinking, and a series of fortunate events came together to save a child’s life. It’s a story that reminds us that even in the darkest moments, hope—like the spirit of the holidays—can shine through. Interested in obtaining CE credit for this episode? Visit OnlineAscend.com to learn more. Listeners can purchase individual episode credits or subscribe to the Critical Care Review Bundle and gain access to all episode CE Credits.
AMPED is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more. To listen to the episode or catch up on past discussions, visit https://ampedpodcast.libsyn.com/air-methods-prehospital-education-podcast-ep-47-miracle-in-the-desert. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #AMPEDpod on social media.
As the winter months set in, a surge in pediatric respiratory illnesses becomes an anticipated challenge for medical professionals. Rural, community hospitals often find themselves overwhelmed by the influx of pediatric patients needing specialized care they may not be equipped to provide. The rise in pediatric respiratory illness creates a demand for air medical transport that can safely and efficiently move young patients to facilities with more advanced pediatric capabilities. We’ll dive into how Air Methods manages these intricate transports, ensuring that critically ill children receive timely and appropriate care en route to specially equipped hospitals. We’ll also highlight the work our partners at Loma Linda University Health Center are doing to ease the burden at smaller community hospitals.
Pediatric respiratory viruses, including RSV, flu, COVID-19, and rhino enterovirus pose significant health challenges, particularly during the winter months when illnesses peak. Due to the anatomical characteristics of children’s airways which are smaller and more susceptible to obstruction, respiratory illnesses can escalate into severe distress more rapidly than adults.
“The 2022 tripledemic, characterized by surges in RSV, influenza, and COVID cases, overwhelmed pediatric healthcare systems nationwide, leading to a critical shortage of hospital beds, said Dr. Sonea Qureshi, medical director of pediatric critical care transport at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. “Fortunately, trends have normalized in 2023 and 2024, with a marked decline in COVID cases and a stabilization of RSV.”
However, a trend has emerged, as more children present with co-infections — experiencing two or three viral illnesses simultaneously. Theresa Doran, the PICU transport coordinator at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, highlighted this concerning development. “We are witnessing a significant increase in the number of pediatric patients who are battling multiple viral infections at once, which complicates both treatment and recovery,” said Doran. In response to these co-infections, many community hospitals have adopted high-flow nasal cannula devices to initiate oxygen therapy before transferring patients to higher-level care. This proactive approach, especially during peak respiratory illness season, has proven essential in managing care effectively.
When community hospitals need help treating severe pediatric cases, they turn to larger facilities that have pediatric-specific resources and advanced training. This is where air medical transport steps in as a vital bridge between initial diagnosis and comprehensive treatment at specialized centers.
Air Methods’ partnership with the pediatric medical team at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital is one such collaboration. Serving a population of several million children across five counties, the PICU air medical transport team at Loma Linda is comprised of the Nurse, the Respiratory Therapist, and the resident. This specialized team initiates care at a referring community hospital to create seamless patient management and continuous monitoring from bedside to air transport. Pediatric patients and their families find comfort in an organized approach during what can be considered a high-stress air transfer. “With the aircraft, we are a traveling ICU for the patient, equipped with the best equipment and training,” says Respiratory Transport Manager Victor Bannis. “Onboard, the transport team is equipped with advanced life-support technologies, ranging from HFNC and conventional ventilators to advanced high-frequency ventilators and nitric oxide therapy.”
One critical aspect of pediatric air transport during a rise in respiratory illness is the necessity for highly trained personnel who can handle the unique challenges posed by transporting sick children. The crew must be exceptionally skilled in clinical interventions and emotional intelligence to reassure worried and anxious families.
The Loma Linda medical transport team focuses on:
Looking ahead, our partnership with Loma Linda remains steadfast as we leverage advanced training through simulations to equip our teams with the skills necessary to handle real-life scenarios. We feel confident we are always prepared to meet the evolving needs of our young patients. With Air Methods’ comprehensive approach that emphasizes rigorous training and advanced equipment, pediatric respiratory transports function smoothly.
Extensive training and equipment mean:
Tom Crain, clinical director at Air Methods, emphasizes the importance of collaboration and communication between transport teams and receiving facilities. “Air Methods has established comprehensive policies that facilitate timely interactions with receiving physicians,” says Crain. “We ensure that the latest advancements in pediatric care are integrated into their practice and that the highest possible level of care is consistently achieved.” Air Methods is committed to delivering exceptional and responsive care in critical situations by working closely with pediatric specialty teams.
As the winter months usher in a surge of pediatric respiratory illnesses, air medical transport can be a vital resource, particularly within rural communities. The complexities of treating young patients, particularly those facing co-infections during peak illness season, underscore the urgent need for specialized care and rapid transport capabilities. By harnessing the advanced technologies of air medical transport and the dedicated expertise of a skilled multidisciplinary team, we ensure that critically ill children receive the timely interventions they need. Focusing on compassionate communication and trust-building, our air medical transport teams provide lifesaving medical care and support families’ emotional well-being.
Our commitment to enhancing patient outcomes and alleviating the burden on community hospitals remains steadfast. Together, we strive to transform the challenges posed by respiratory illness into opportunities for collaboration and healthcare access.
Learn more about clinical excellence at Air Methods and Loma Linda Children’s Hospital.
A motorcycle accident victim faces dire circumstances and our team has to execute a new procedure that is rarely done in the field and has a high degree of risk if not done correctly. They are one of the only teams in the region equipped to even do such a procedure, and our team is concerned about doing it correctly because a lot can go wrong. Could you do a procedure you don’t normally do with an audience? Because in addition to having to execute for the good of the patient, our team had the patient’s family, other first responders and more watching them. We’re joined by Veronica Huskey, RN, NREMT-P, CFRN, FP-C and Alaina Armstrong-Cain, NREMT-P, FP-C, listen in as our team tackles another fascinating case on this episode of AMPED.
AMPED is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more. To listen to the episode or catch up on past discussions, visit https://ampedpodcast.libsyn.com/air-methods-prehospital-education-podcast-ep-44-zen-and-the-art-of-treating-a-motorcycle-accident. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #AMPEDpod on social media.