The MedEvac Foundation International is pleased to announce funding provisions for three key research and education grants in emergency medical transport totaling $47,250. The Foundation awards grants through a competitive application and review process.

Dr. Stephen Thomas from the OU Schusterman Center in Oklahoma will be supported in his Collaborative Statewide Education Program on Patient Stabilization for HEMS Interfacility Transport proposal. Dr. Thomas’ proposal focuses on patient stabilization for HEMS transport and for hospitals requesting interfacility flights in Oklahoma. Co-investigators include medical directors and education and/or program directors from Air Evac, Eagle Med, MediFlight, and Tulsa Life Flight. The proposal outlines a new approach to teaching priorities and practices for readying patients for rapid transfer to transporting aircraft, with the goal of reducing HEMS crew “on-scene” times at referring hospitals.

Dr. Thomas has also been awarded support for a second study, entitled HEMS Effectiveness Achieved by Rapid Transport of STEMIs: The CCT CORE HEARTS Study. This project is an extension of a pilot project recently completed and accepted for publication. The pilot project established the methodology of using high-end geographic information software (GIS) to characterize logistics of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing interfacility transport for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The approach of HEARTS is to use the methods of the preliminary study (which actually examined just one center in Oklahoma) to assess actual and estimated time performances of ground and air EMS interfacility transports of STEMI patients, for primary PCI. For patients who actually go by HEMS, time savings of HEMS will be estimated by comparing actual HEMS times to GIS-estimated ground EMS times. For patients who actually go by ground, actual ground times will be compared to GIS-estimated HEMS times.

And finally, the MedEvac Foundation will provide funding for Dr. Nadine Levick’s project, Safe Emergency Transport of Neonatal Patients. Dr. Levick works with the EMS Safety Foundation. Neonatal patients are routinely transported with varying degrees of sophistication and focus regarding technical aspects of safety. There is limited research data available addressing engineering occupant protection science and its integration with clinical practice needs in neonatal transport. The objective of this study is to scientifically address the safe medical transport of neonatal patients from a technical biomechanical, biofidelic, occupant protection, and clinical operational perspective using a comprehensive interdisciplinary team approach, bridging occupant protection engineering and clinical practice needs in neonatal transport.

Dr. Russell D. MacDonald, MedEvac Foundation Grants & Research Committee Chair remarks, “The Foundation has a positive track record in supporting investigators who generate new knowledge and translate this into something practical and relevant to the air and land critical care transport industry.  Equally exciting are the peer-reviewed publications that result from proposals the Foundation funded several years ago. Peer-reviewed publication represents the final step in sharing this new knowledge with the industry. These results are what move our industry forward and demonstrate value to the health care system.”

About MedEvac Foundation International
Founded by the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS), MedEvac Foundation International is dedicated to identifying and promoting air medical and critical care transport best practices and improvements worldwide. The Foundation is a strong supporter of Vision Zero which targets crew complacency and funds research and disseminates safety, patient care, and operational resources throughout the industry via the web, educational presentations, and printed publications.