CareFlite

For the organization in New South Wales, see CareFlight.
CareFlite Bell 429 over Fort Worth, Texas.

CareFlite is a nonprofit ambulance service based in Grand Prairie, Texas, which operates throughout North and Central Texas.[1] CareFlite's original namesake service is helicopter air ambulance, though today it also performs fixed-wing and ground transport.[2]

CareFlite's Board of Directors includes representatives from Texas Health Resources, Methodist Health System, Baylor Scott & White Health Care System, Parkland Health and Hospital System, and the JPS Health Network.

History

CareFlite began operations in 1979. It originated with one helicopter, a Bell 206L, which was shared between Methodist Dallas Medical Center and Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital. It is the oldest joint-use air medical program in the United States.[3] CareFlite augmented their air ambulance service with ground operations in 1981.[2]

Fleet

Current aircraft

CareFlite helicopters with fixed-wing aircraft in background.

CareFlite currently operates eight helicopters, one fixed-wing aircraft, and several ground ambulances.

Former aircraft

CareFlite Bell 407GX in Hill County, Texas

Operations

Air Operations

Each aircraft is staffed by a pilot, a flight nurse, and a flight paramedic. CareFlite aircraft provide emergency support for 9-1-1 services, as well as interfacility transfers. Specialty transports performed in cooperation with sponsor facilities include ECMO, IABP, Impella, and field amputation teams.

Ground Operations

In addition to ground interfacility transfer and wheelchair van services, CareFlite provides 9-1-1 EMS ground service in the following areas:

Bases of Operation

Air Bases

Helicopter

Fixed-wing

Ground Bases

Accidents

  • On September 3, 2003, a CareFlite AW109 lost power while taking off from the Methodist Dallas Medical Center. The pilot aborted the takeoff, forcing the aircraft onto its side on the helipad to avoid going over the side of the building. The pilot was injured in the crash.[8][9]
  • On June 2, 2010, a CareFlite 222 was undergoing a post-maintenance flight near Midlothian, Texas, when it broke up in the air. The pilot and the mechanic on board were both killed in the crash. The probable cause was found to be fracture of a swashplate drive pin.[10][11][12]
  • On September 30, 2012, a CareFlite AW109 dispatched on mission entered IFR conditions, shortly thereafter descending from the clouds. The aircraft impacted the ground at a level attitude, skidded and landed on its side. The three crew members were seriously injured.[13][14][15]

Memberships

As with some other air ambulance services, CareFlite offers yearly memberships to cover transport costs not paid by medical insurance. The membership costs are charged per household. This includes helicopter, ground, and most fixed-wing transport costs.

Fixed-wing transport

If insurance deems a fixed-wing transport usage not medically necessary or denies claim, the member is responsible 50% of the charges.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ Gardner, Natalie (November 14, 1997). "CareFlite opens central Grand Prairie office, adds $310,000 in equipment". Fort Worth Business Press.
  2. ^ a b c "Bringing Health and Hope - CareFlite Texas - Heliweb Magazine". Heliweb Magazine. 2017-02-12. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  3. ^ "The Ambulance of Texas Skies, CareFlite Has Saved Over One Million Patients". Bell newsroom. 2018-04-16. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
  4. ^ "Careflite | Services Helicopter". careflite.org. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  5. ^ "CareFlite Adds Bell 407GXi to Air Ambulance Fleet". Bell newsroom. 2022-06-15. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  6. ^ "N925MM (1980 BEECH C90 owned by CAREFLITE) Aircraft Registration ✈ FlightAware". FlightAware. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  7. ^ "Careflite | Fixed Wing". careflite.org. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  8. ^ "Disabled helicopter forced to land on Dallas hospital roof - www.hcpro.com". www.hcpro.com. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  9. ^ "htmlReport". app.ntsb.gov. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  10. ^ "NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on CareFlite Crash". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  11. ^ "NTSB report in CareFlite helicopter crash near Midlothian to take a week". Dallas News. 2010-06-04. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  12. ^ "htmlReport". app.ntsb.gov. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  13. ^ "htmlReport". app.ntsb.gov. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  14. ^ "CareFlite Chopper Makes Hard Landing". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  15. ^ Garza, Ariana. "Update: CareFlite Helicopter crashes in Eastland County, 3 remain in 'intensive care'". KTXS. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  16. ^ "CareFlite's Caring-Heart Membership". careflite.org. Retrieved 2018-02-19.