Making air and critical care ground medical transport as safe as possible through a systemic, scientific approach is the primary aim of a new Safety Management Training Academy being launched this summer by the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS).

The five-day AAMS Safety Management Training Academy is set for June 13-17, 2010, at Oglebay National Training Center and Resort in Wheeling, W.V., and will include a special emphasis on safety management systems (SMS), patient safety, aviation/vehicle operational safety and workplace safety.

“AAMS is proud to sponsor this newly developed program, which is designed to help individuals and organizations better understand safety systems theory and the application of that theory into the practice of medical transportation,” said AAMS President Daniel Hankins, MD, FACEP. “The safety management training provided is a major component of AAMS’ overarching mission, which is to eliminate medical-transport accidents by developing and advancing a safety-based culture within the air-medical and critical-care ground transportation community.”

Safety Management Training Academy participants develop skills specific to medical transport safety and management through formal education programs emphasizing both theoretical and hands-on instruction. To become certified, applicants must participate in a rigorous educational program over the course of two years, complete out-of-classroom assignments and pass a comprehensive written examination.

Two key Safety Management Training Academy focus areas include establishing and implementing SMS principles (in both aviation and safe patient care) and achieving safety improvements through organizational cultural change. Other topics include accident causation, accident investigation, tools and techniques for risk management, human factors taxonomy, regulatory compliance, and certification and accreditations related to safety standards.

The Safety Management Training Academy was launched by AAMS to provide management training certification in emergency medical transport. Courses are taught by highly respected aviation and medical industry experts. (see here for a faculty listing) Course registration is still open; for details on deadlines, curriculum and pricing, see here or call 703-836-8732.

Costs associated with developing the AAMS Safety Management Academy curriculum have been supported and underwritten in part by MedEvac Foundation International and Oglebay Resorts. For details regarding MedEvac Foundation International, see  www.medevacfoundation.org. For information on and directions to the Oglebay National Training Center and Resort, see www.oglebay-resort.com.

About AAMS – The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is the trade association serving the entire air and critical care ground medical transport community. AAMS, together with its charitable arm, MedEvac Foundation International, strives to enhance the medical transport industry by promoting the highest level of industry safety; promoting quality patient care; inspiring commitment to the industry’s work, causes, and viability; and providing superior service to its members.

About MedEvac Foundation International – The MedEvac Foundation International operates as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Formerly known as FARE (Foundation for Air-Medical Research and Education), the Foundation supports research, education, outreach, and charitable services to advance medical transport worldwide.