Today was another reason to celebrate. (It seems like we have a lot of celebrations around Clarian.) Today marked quite a milestone, as it was 30 years ago that LifeLine, our critical care air transport system, took its first patient flight. Since that day in July 1979, we have successfully completed 32,000 flights. What a tremendous accomplishment!
Our flight record is spotless. This is not by happenstance. Having been fortunate enough to participate in a ride-along shift experience several years ago, I was allowed to see how the process works from the first call for a patient to the point where the patient is safely delivered back to the Methodist Emergency Medicine and Trauma Center. I understand that when a parent hears the words “we have called for LifeLine” for their precious child, it is such a devastating moment. To them, it signifies just how sick their child truly is, because there is an urgency associated with the “need for speed” that comes with the use of air transport as opposed to ground. Then they see their heart loaded in the back of a large, awesome machine, and flown away into the sky. It is often with a lot of unanswered questions, or an unknown outcome.
It has to be unbelievably overwhelming. We have long known about the Golden Hour in trauma patients. This refers to roughly the first hour after an injury, when it is vitally important that a patient receive the proper trauma care they need for an optimal outcome. So when a parent hears “LifeLine,” they have a certain reaction, usually fear. When I hear that a child is coming to me by LifeLine, I breathe easier. It lets me know several things immediately. I know that the child will be getting great care in the air. I also know that the child will be getting to the ED as quickly as possible, where there is no better trauma care than the Methodist staff physicians and nurses. They are awesome. If they need any subspecialty care such as surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery, oculoplastics, maxillofacial surgery…..you name it, it will be ready and waiting for them. All of the diagnostics you could possibly think of, ready and waiting.
It is true teamwork delivered by a well-oiled machine, but also with great kindness and compassion. But it all starts with the safe delivery of the patient to the hospital first. LifeLine brings us patients from a great variety of places - it may be another hospital, a farm field, or a highway - but one thing is for certain: it will be with the safest aviation, and the utmost medical professionalism and top-notch care. Yet another reason to be proud of my colleagues!
Tracy
To be a registered nurse at Clarian, visit Jobs for Registered Nurses.
Our flight record is spotless. This is not by happenstance. Having been fortunate enough to participate in a ride-along shift experience several years ago, I was allowed to see how the process works from the first call for a patient to the point where the patient is safely delivered back to the Methodist Emergency Medicine and Trauma Center. I understand that when a parent hears the words “we have called for LifeLine” for their precious child, it is such a devastating moment. To them, it signifies just how sick their child truly is, because there is an urgency associated with the “need for speed” that comes with the use of air transport as opposed to ground. Then they see their heart loaded in the back of a large, awesome machine, and flown away into the sky. It is often with a lot of unanswered questions, or an unknown outcome.
It has to be unbelievably overwhelming. We have long known about the Golden Hour in trauma patients. This refers to roughly the first hour after an injury, when it is vitally important that a patient receive the proper trauma care they need for an optimal outcome. So when a parent hears “LifeLine,” they have a certain reaction, usually fear. When I hear that a child is coming to me by LifeLine, I breathe easier. It lets me know several things immediately. I know that the child will be getting great care in the air. I also know that the child will be getting to the ED as quickly as possible, where there is no better trauma care than the Methodist staff physicians and nurses. They are awesome. If they need any subspecialty care such as surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery, oculoplastics, maxillofacial surgery…..you name it, it will be ready and waiting for them. All of the diagnostics you could possibly think of, ready and waiting.
It is true teamwork delivered by a well-oiled machine, but also with great kindness and compassion. But it all starts with the safe delivery of the patient to the hospital first. LifeLine brings us patients from a great variety of places - it may be another hospital, a farm field, or a highway - but one thing is for certain: it will be with the safest aviation, and the utmost medical professionalism and top-notch care. Yet another reason to be proud of my colleagues!
Tracy
To be a registered nurse at Clarian, visit Jobs for Registered Nurses.
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