New fastener solves patient transfer problem

When the Society of Auto Engineers released their J3027 guidance regarding ground ambulance-based patient litters, it left many air ambulance crews in a bind. Crews were no longer able to quickly transfer a litter from the aircraft to the ground vehicle. Instead, they had to transfer the patient from the helicopter’s stretcher to the ground vehicle’s stretcher, costing precious minutes when time is of utmost importance.

Metro Aviation are the first to gain a supplemental type certificate for the Stryker Performance-LOAD Manual Cot Fastener for BK117 C2/D2 models. The fastener meets crash safety recommendations for SAE J3027 and provides guidance for loading and unloading to improve efficiencies. With this system, crews can now carry the same Stryker litters approved for ground transport and eliminate the need to move patients from ground litter to flight litter during transport.

Boston Medflight thankful for the solution

Boston Medflight is the launch customer for the system and worked closely with Metro Aviation during its development.

“While Metro’s original Stryker gurney system provided us with a very robust, independent, and reliable process to transport our patients, the Performance Pro solution provides us with more flexibility by having a gurney that can be utilized both in our aircraft as well as our ground ambulances and in most first responders’ ambulances,” said Boston MedFlight Director of Base Operations Charlie Blathras. 

“Many of our helicopter transports require the need for ground ambulance support and moving multiple times between gurneys increases the risk for our patients. The Performance Pro solution limits that overall risk and improves our system efficiency. We’re grateful to Metro for hearing our concerns and collaborating on a solution that meets our patient needs.”

Metro to produce 25 systems for Q1

Metro is currently producing 25 systems to be available during the first quarter of 2021. The installation is similar to Metro Aviation’s long-standing litter retention plate and can be installed in the field.

Recently, MedForce joined the Metro Aviation family of air medical helicopter operators, making it the newest air medical service to join the Metro family.