NEAA – the Northeast’s Answer to the Dangers of Competition in Helicopter EMS

NEAA - Background – Organization founded by Boston MedFlight, UMass Life Flight, and Hartford Life Star –Joint venture to facilitate information exchange

NEAA - Background Original name – New England Air Alliance Current name – North East Air Alliance –Present members include the original three – Boston MedFlight, UMASS Life Flight, and Hartford Life Star –Additional members include Life Flight of Maine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock, and Life Net of New York. Name may change in the future due to expansion of services to include ground and fixed wing operations

NEAA Program Locations Aircraft are geographically positioned to maximize regional coverage. Aircraft are based at or near tertiary care centers.

NEAA – Mission Regional collaborative system of Critical Care transport Share information Discuss experiences Encourage communications Maintain a safe and high quality of service

NEAA – Early Discussions Framed with elements of industry driven political issues and competition. Included: –Equipment used – advantages and disadvantages –Medical protocols

NEAA – Current Status Expanded meetings to include aviation, clinical and communications staff Annual educational conference with rotating sponsorship and organization by the participating organizations Quarterly meetings held in a centralized facility

NEAA – Recent Discussions Most recent discussions have included: –Safety issues and considerations –Program integration –Program updates –Crew member orientation –Customer service –Peer evaluation –Committee structures –Wage and salary discussions

NEAA - Subgroups Subgroups formed: –Pilot forum –Communication technicians –Nurse and paramedic team members –Administrative group

NEAA – Current Projects Web site development – designed in 2004 –Online access to: Area NOTAMS LZ coordination Hazards, obstruction Group forum discussions Regional development of disaster protocols Multi-organizational vehicle contingency plan (VCP)

NEAA-Current Projects Standard operating protocols Hospital capacity information Shared employment

Conclusion Regional collaborative system of Critical Care Transport has many positive outcomes: –Benefits patients first –Enhances operational efficiency through standardization –Enhances Safety –Reduces health care $$ and redundancy of services –Disaster efficiency –Cooperative program education