Erlanger Hospital Services

LIFE FORCE

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Air Medical (LIFE FORCE)

More than just fast transport, LIFE FORCE Air Medical brings the hospital to you, providing on-scene and in-flight critical care treatment when minutes matter most.

Erlanger’s Air Medical Program, LIFE FORCE, is based at the downtown Baroness Campus in Chattanooga, Tennessee with satellite bases in Sparta, Tennessee and Calhoun, Georgia.

LIFE FORCE began operations in December 1988 with one aircraft which averaged over 700 flights annually. With the addition of LIFE FORCE 2 and 3, and expansion into areas not previously served by air medical transportation, LIFE FORCE’s annual patient flights have doubled.

In 1995 LIFE FORCE 2 was added to better serve the Upper Cumberland region communities and LIFE FORCE 3 was added in 2007 to provide additional coverage to the North Georgia region. These additional aircraft have aided in improving the odds in the race against time during the “Golden Hour.”

On-Scene and In-Flight Life-Saving Treatment Includes:

Trauma Service

Four units of blood carried on each flight
On-scene surgical procedures and invasive circulatory intervention including surgical airways, chest tubes, central lines, saphenous vein cutdowns.
In-flight I-stat laboratory analysis and surgical preparations

Heart & Stroke Intervention

Aggressive cardiac and stroke protocols
Ground-breaking cardiac drugs

Cutting Edge Pediatric Care

Specialized pediatric protocols and medications
Dedicated neonatal transport team

Labor & Delivery

High-risk obstetric care
In-flight fetal monitoring system including TOCO and ultracound
Specialized OB medications

UT College of Medicine

Professors/physicians provide on-going training and advanced in-flight protocols which speed direct admissions to surgery, the cardiac catheterization lab, radiology and much more …

Aviation Maintenance

A highly qualified and aggressive maintenance department keeps LIFE FORCE flying with very little downtime. Each base has a complete Aviation Maintenance Section and includes FAA qualified Aircraft and Powertrain Technicians staffed around the clock. An extensive inventory of parts, specialized tools and equipment certified by the manufacturer help in preventive maintenance and comprehensive inspections are performed on a continuous basis.