Next week is National EMS Week, May 20-26, 2012, during which there will be strong focus on the important work of EMS providers nationwide. In conjunction with EMS Week, the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) will put special emphasis on the life-saving work of medevac crews around the world through our annual MedEvac Hour campaign. Medevac crews are comprised of a dedicated combination of physicians, nurses, paramedics, pilots, mechanics and communication specialists that work together in the delivery of patient care to the most critically ill and injured patients across the globe.

The campaign – MedEvac Hour: Speed, Access, Quality of Care – will highlight the unique and crucial role that helicopter, fixed-wing and critical care ground medical transport play within the larger EMS system. MedEvac Hour recognizes our industry’s commitment to transport the right patient to the right medical facility in the right amount of time by the right mode of transport to ensure the best possible patient outcome.

AAMS has asked our membership to select an appropriate time during their internal celebrations of EMS Week to celebrate MedEvac Hour and the vital role that medevac crews play daily in the delivery of safe, high quality patient care.

With members of the House of Representatives in recess during EMS Week this year, medevac providers have the unique opportunity to invite their Congressional Representative to tour their operations to learn more about medevac transport. Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) and Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX), Congressional Air Medical Caucus Co-Chairs, have issued a “Dear Colleague” challenge to their peers as an added incentive for House members to visit their local medevac providers during EMS Week.

Please be on the lookout for MedEvac Hour events that will be taking place next week in your local communities.

Did you know that…?
• 46.7 million Americans live more than an hour away from a Level 1 or 2 trauma center.
• MedEvac helicopters are most often utilized for time-sensitive illnesses and injuries such as severe trauma, heart attacks or strokes.
• In the United States, there are over 800 MedEvac helicopters staffed and equipped to transport and treat the nation’s most critically ill and injured patients.
• MedEvac helicopters transport approximately 400,000 patients annually.

About AAMS
The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is the only international trade association serving the entire air and ground medical transport community. AAMS 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.