With multiple locations and over 200 employees covering thousands of miles throughout Oregon, Washington and Idaho, Life Flight Network says that they had outgrown the usefulness of spreadsheet crew scheduling.

“The spreadsheet did not allow for individual employee schedule changes without involving managers/schedulers. The option of empowering the employee to self-submit availability, make trades, and request vacation/time off makes EMS Manager the best system for our company,” indicates Dominic Pomponio RN, CFRN Region 3 Director, Life Flight Network.

Life Flight Network selected EMS Manager after testing demos from a number of online scheduling companies. The company operates multiple bases with ground EMS, helicopter, and fixed-wing operations. They sought a scheduling and workforce management system that was more efficient, and more fitting, for their entire operation. Life Flight Network states the system capabilities, customer service and ease of setting up EMS Manager fit their company’s needs and expectations.

“EMS Manager has allowed Life Flight Network to review availability and schedule accordingly. We utilize a 12-week schedule, so there is a greater likelihood in changes of availability throughout the scheduled period. EMS Manager allows the employee to submit their availability and take ownership in the scheduling process, thus making for a more consistent and fair schedule for all,” adds Pomponio. “Administrators and staff value the ability to access the system from our smartphones. Admin staff can also page out (notify) members about any schedule changes and alert them of open positions. EMS Manager’s customer serviceair medicac is very responsive. As an administrator, I know I can call or email and get an answer immediately.”

Life Flight Network, named the 2009 Air Medical Program of the Year by the Association of Air Medical Services, provides life-saving transport for seriously ill or injured patients from the scene of an emergency or from one hospital to another. Much of the area Life Flight Network services is remote, making a flight-based option pivotal for residents and visitors needing medical attention. Life Flight Network’s unique combination of air and ground ambulances and highly skilled personnel, represents an integral part of local emergency medical systems.