When seconds count, critically ill and injured patients who need acute care and the fastest possible transportation can rely on Sanford USD Medical Center’s Intensive Air program, our regional helicopter and fixed wing air ambulance service.
Intensive Air has been operating since 1977 and has flown over 35,000 patients. We are proud to serve the region with a Bell 230 helicopter and two King Air B200 fixed wing aircraft. Intensive Air is a CAMTS (Commission on Accreditation of Air Medical Services) accredited flight program and was the first program to have this recognition in the region.
Because of the advanced lifesaving equipment on board, the aircraft is often referred to as a flying intensive care unit. A heart and vital sign monitor, defibrillator, pacemaker, invasive line monitoring equipment, lab analyzer, ventilator, infusion pumps, pulse oximetry and advanced life saving medications are readily available inside the cabin.
In addition to lifesaving medical equipment, the Trauma 1 helicopter and fixed wing aircraft have specialized navigational systems for enhanced flight safety. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in each aircraft allows for pilots to determine their exact position and distance from their destination. Having GPS in the helicopter allows the Communication Center to flight follow the aircraft.
A variety of aircraft communication systems allow transport teams to be in constant contact with specialty physicians. Patients are transported to the medically appropriate facility of their choice. For more information about Intensive Air or the medical teams call the Transport Clinical Manager at 605-333-7323 or email. If you wish to initiate a transport, contact the Intensive Air Communication Center at 605-333-4447 or 1-800-952-2229.
Intensive Air is composed of four specialized flight teams – adult, neonatal, maternal, and pediatric – with advanced training in cardiac, trauma, burns, pediatric, maternal and neonatal critical care. All teams transport in the helicopter and fixed wing aircraft.
Specialized Flight Teams
- Adult Team - The adult team consists of registered nurses with extensive training in the care of the critically ill and traumatized patients. The adult team consists of a Flight Nurse and a Flight Paramedic. A Respiratory Therapist is available, if needed. The adult team transports medical and trauma patients 15 years and older and responds to all scene response calls regardless of age. The nurses on the adult flight team work in the Emergency Department and are directed by the Emergency Department Physician when out on transport.
- Neonatal Team – The neonatal team consists of registered nurses and neonatal nurse practitioners. A Respiratory Therapist is available to accompany the team, if needed. The neonatal team transports all critically ill newborns. The Intensive Care Nursery team works in the Boekelheide Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and is directed on transport by the neonatologist.
- Maternal Team – The maternal team consists of registered nurses with high-risk obstetrical care experience. The team consists of a Labor and Delivery flight nurse and a flight medic transporting all maternal patients. A combination Intensive Care Nursery/Maternal team is often utilized to care for mother and baby if delivery is imminent. A Respiratory Therapist is available, if requested. A Perinatologist directs the team with experience in high-risk pregnancies.
- Pediatric Team – The pediatric team consists of Pediatric flight registered nurses and a Flight Paramedic. A Respiratory Therapist is also available, if needed. The Pediatric Team transports pediatric patients age 14 and under. A Pediatric Intensivist directs the pediatric flight team on all medical transports.
Respiratory Therapist
The Respiratory Therapists are a unique part of the transport team because their duties are very diverse with an expectation of excellence across the pediatric, neonatal and adult continuum. The transport therapists are an asset to the team with responsibilities ranging from patient assessment and respiratory drug delivery to airway management, mechanical ventilation, end-tidal CO2 monitoring, balloon pump and oxygen therapy.
Pilots & Mechanics
Sanford USD Medical Center employs a staff of full time pilots and mechanics to operate and maintain Intensive Air's aircraft. All aviation employees are trained in their particular specialties. Fixed-wing aircraft are housed within Sanford USD Medical Center’s hangar based at Joe Foss Field. TRAUMA1, rotor-wing helicopter, is based on the northwest parking ramp on the Sanford USD Medical Center’s campus.
All pilots and mechanics receive initial and annual training. Pilots attend simulator training at either Flight Safety International or Simuflite. Mechanics attend training at factory approved training facilities.
Communications Center
The Communications Specialists are responsible for the coordination of transporting the patient and team to their final destination. The registered nurses in the Communication Center provide professional and medical background that gives them the ability to assess the needs of the patients. They are committed to make the transport the safest and most efficient transport for the patients. The Intensive Air dispatch is 1-800-952-2229 or 605-333-4447.
Membership Program
When the unexpected happens, be prepared by enrolling in the Intensive Air Membership program. Whether you purchase the membership for yourself or as a gift to a loved one, being a member will give you the peace of mind that you’ve been searching for.
Air medical transport and patient care charges can exceed $3,500, depending on transport distances. And while Sanford Intensive Air flies anyone in medical need to the medically appropriate facility of their choice, Members pay no out-of-pocket charges for their urgent transport. (Patients are flown based on medical need, not membership status.) Intensive Air bills the Member’s insurance carrier (if any) and accepts that payment as payment in full.
If you do not carry medical insurance, but are an Intensive Air Member, Sanford USD Medical Center’s Intensive Air program will cover the entire cost of your Intensive Air transport.
Through membership, Sanford Intensive Air has found a way to help you keep the cost of your healthcare down.
Here’s How It Works
When a physician or emergency care provider tells you or a family member that you need air transport, be sure to tell them to call Intensive Air. All hospitals and emergency care agencies in the region have our toll-free number or can reach us via radio. Intensive Air will dispatch a team immediately and will transport you to the medically appropriate facility of your choice.
Member Benefits
- Intensive Air will directly bill your insurance company and will cover any amount they do not pay. Intensive Air will transport patients for medically appropriate illnesses and injuries to the nearest medically appropriate facility of your choice.
- If you don’t carry medical insurance, but are an Intensive Air Member, Intensive Air will cover the entire cost of your flight.
- Your Intensive air Membership is extended to all members of your immediate family living in your home.
For more information about the membership program call 605-333-7139 or 1-800-633-6700 or enroll today.
Family Definition
Intensive Air Membership covers husband and wife and unmarried, dependent children under the age of 23. Intensive Air considers your child a dependent if you claim him or her as a dependent on your income tax return. If you do not, a separate membership is necessary even if the child lives at your residence. Intensive Air Members receive family financial coverage, membership cards, membership stickers for vehicles, and a subscription to our newsletter, Flight Notes.
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