AirLink
AirLink is Southeastern North Carolina's first air ambulance service. Having just begun service in September, 2001, the AirLink air ambulance has been an important development in health care in southeastern North Carolina. In its first year of operation it made more than 500 transports, improving outcomes and saving lives by bringing patients more rapidly to the health care resources they need. The helicopter makes the difference between life and death for victims of heart attacks and traffic accidents, as well as premature babies in distress.
The helicopter adds another critical piece to New Hanover Regional Medical Center's growing pre-hospital services. AirLink connects rural areas with the availability of Advanced Life Support services. In cases of flooding or other storm damage, AirLink can transport patients when roads are closed and no other transportation is available.
EquipmentThe BK-117 helicopter is built specifically for emergency medical rescue, with necessary clinical service s complementing its safety features. CJ Systems Aviation Group, the vendor providing the service, operates 90 helicopters in 51 locations.
StaffingNew Hanover Regional Medical Center is providing the staff for AirLink. The Critical Care Air Transport Team is made up of existing members of the network's VitaLink division who cross-trained eight months for air medical transport. This training included a trip to Cherry Point for water survival training.
Time makes a difference
| Location |
Airlink |
Ground Transport |
| Bladen County |
25 minutes |
75 minutes |
| Brunswick County |
13 minutes |
40 minutes |
| Columbus County |
23 minutes |
75 minutes |
| Dosher Memorial |
10 minutes |
40 minutes |
| Duplin General |
27 minutes |
90 minutes |
| Loris Community |
29 minutes |
90 minutes |
| Onslow County |
25 minutes |
90 minutes |
| Pender Memorial |
12 minutes |
40 minutes |
| Sampson Regional |
30 minutes |
90 minutes |
*Ground transport times provided by NHRMC's VitaLink mobile transportation unit
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