When to Call SkyHealth

Mechanism of injury

• Fall from greater than 20 feet 
• Apparent high-speed impact 
• Vehicle ejection
• Death of another passenger 
• Passenger with multiple injuries 
• Major vehicle deformity (outside/inside) 
• Vehicle rollover
• Pedestrian struck at speed greater than 20 mph

Physiologic factors

• Systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHG 
• RR less than 10 or greater than 28 
• Respiratory distress (drowning, fire) 
• Pulse less than 60 or greater than 110 
• Cardiac event with unstable vital signs 
• Hypothermia/hyperthermia 
• Anaphylaxis 
• High-risk pregnancy/complications 
• GCS less than 12 

Situational factors

• Prolonged extrication 
• Increased travel time 
• Rural or isolated area 
• Medical or community disaster

Anatomic factors

• Gunshot wound or penetrating injury to head, neck, chest, abdomen or groin 
• Severe burns greater than 15% of burn surface area
• Burns to face and neck 
• Possible spinal cord injury 
• Amputation 
• Fracture of two or more long bones 

Prehospital information

SkyHealth is the primary helicopter for Fairfield County. Agencies outside Fairfield County should follow local protocols for requesting a helicopter. Agencies requesting SkyHealth should:

1. Contact C-MED Southwest at 203-338-0762.
2. Provide information listed on intake form. This only applies to scene flights, not hospital-to-hospital transfers.
   a. Name of agency/department requesting SkyHealth
   b. Phone number
   c. Type of call (trauma/MVC/GSW)
   d. Location of landing zone; is it a predesignated landing zone?
   e. Physical address of the landing zone 
3. Communicate to ground unit status of the flight as provided by CMED Southwest.

Communication frequencies are 

• Primary - CMED will patch to UASI Region 1 Regional Fire Channel. 
• Secondary - CMED will assign a med channel to the mission.
• Lastly, communication can be established from aircraft to LZ officer phone using SkyHealth Communications Center as a relay.

Interfacility transfer with SkyHealth

Safety of the responders, patients and flight crew is SkyHealth’s number one priority. Proper landing zone selection is one of the most important tasks to ensure safety. The SkyHealth crew can enter pre-established landing zones into its GPS system, helping decrease response time. It also identifies hazards such as wires, pole, towers and landmarks that make the site easier to identify. Preferred landing zones are within the calling facility’s town. A SkyHealth representative is available to help establish a landing zone. Steps to establishing and maintaining a landing zone include:

1. Landing zone selection, identification and preparation
2. Safe operation around the aircraft
3. Assisting the crew transporting patients to and from the aircraft
4. Identifying the role and requirements of the landing zone officer

Procedure to establish a SkyHealth landing zone includes:
Site selection

• Find a flat area free of overhead obstructions (e.g., wires, poles and crane) that is at least 100 by 100 feet.
• Notify SkyHealth staff of any obstructions near the landing zone.

Marking the landing zone

• Day: Orange cones at all four corners
• Night: Lighted cone, flashlights or light sticks
• Never point spotlights, laser pointers or flash units at the aircraft as this disrupts the night vision goggles.

Securing the area

• Prevent unauthorized personnel from entering landing zone.
• Make sure all loose articles are secured.
• Do not use traffic flares.
• Protect yourself and the patient from rotor wash.

Approaching the aircraft

• Never approach the aircraft without a signal from the crew.
• Once approaching, stay within and maintain eye contact with the crew.
• Never approach the aircraft from the tail end.