Air Methods and Covenant Health launch Tennessee HEMS program

US-based air ambulance provider Air Methods has partnered with healthcare provider Covenant Health to operate a new helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) program in eastern Tennessee.

The program, which will launch this month, will serve patients from two bases in Morristown and Rockwood.

Each base will be home to an Airbus H135 fitted with a range of equipment for adult, neonatal, and pediatric emergency care, as well as whole blood for in-flight administration.

To operate the program, Air Methods will supply its pilots and mechanics, while Covenant Health will provide clinicians.

Air Methods stated that the two organizations would work closely with local stakeholders, emergency responders, and healthcare partners to “ensure seamless integration … into the region’s emergency response network”.

“This partnership reflects our continued commitment to expanding access to high-quality care for the communities we serve,” said Jim VanderSteeg, President and CEO of Covenant Health. “By working with Air Methods, we can help ensure patients – especially those in rural areas – have timely access to critical care when it matters most.”

LifeFlight Australia also recently opened a new base, in the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland.