San Juan Island Air to provide air ambulance service
Faster transportation to mainland hospitals is coming for stable patients with non life-threatening injuries or illnesses in the San Juan Islands. Friday Harbor—based San Juan Island Air will be operating a Federal Aviation Administration-approved Air Ambulance service starting in February 2007.
San Juan Island Air's specially configured Cessna aircraft will transport stable patients requiring only Basic Life Support (BLS) — injuries and illnesses that do not require extensive medications or procedures. The aircraft is equipped to accommodate stretcher-bound patients and the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel who accompany them.
Patients will be flown to the airport nearest the hospital or medical facility at which they are to receive care, and will then be met by an ambulance to complete the transport. Continuity of care will be provided by EMS personnel.
San Juan Island Air's Cessna 206 is the first small aircraft licensed for Air Ambulance service by the FAA in the continental United States. This airplane is capable of landing at more than 14 airfields serving virtually all of the major islands in San Juan County. This service can dramatically shorten the time needed to transport a BLS patient to medical facilities by eliminating the need for a ferry or boat transport.
The aircraft is configured to accept a specially developed Lifeport Plus stretcher system whose engineering, certification and purchase were funded by community donations. FAA approval of the new stretcher and air ambulance service was actively supported by Rep. Rick Larsen, Sen. Maria Cantwell, San Juan County Councilman Kevin Ranker, San Juan Island EMS, Inter Island Medical Center, and Orcas Island Fire and Rescue.
"This new service will help ensure that San Juan County families get timely access to critical emergency care. I congratulate San Juan Island Air on making this important contribution to the community,— said Congressman Larsen.
"Prompt medical care is a critical issue of public health and safety for residents and visitors of the San Juan Islands. This is a significant new resource for us all. We thank San Juan Island Air and Congressman Larsen for their commitment to making this happen, — said Kevin Ranker of the San Juan County Council and the County Board of Health.
"After a tremendous amount of hard work, and cooperative support from the FAA, our elected officials, and our medical professionals, we are thrilled to add this important aviation service which will benefit our local communities,— said Jack Hauilton, President of San Juan Island Air.
Airlift Northwest will continue to provide vital Advanced Life Support (ALS) transport to mainland hospitals using their helicopters. ALS typically involves the use of medications and specialized equipment associated with life-threatening conditions and the need for multiple flight nurses.
"The combination of the San Juan Island Air BLS service with the Airlift Northwest ALS service will allow us to provide a broad range of transportation services for patients who require medical assistance in reaching a hospital. This is a major addition to our patient care capabilities,— said Jim Cole, Chief of San Juan Island EMS.
Depending upon circumstances and insurance coverage, BLS transport service is expected to be reimbursable under Medicare and by many private health insurance plans. The charges for this BLS service are expected to be substantially lower than the charges for ALS transport.