High Risk Obstetrics
Origination of Team
OB AirMed was added to University of Utah AirMed team to facilitate maternal transports from surrounding communities to an institution where a higher level of care can be provided. The program is thriving today and is one of only a few air ambulance teams to be solely dedicated to High Risk Obstetrics
Area of service/Availability 24/7
OB AirMed is based in northern Utah and is available 24 hours a day seven days a week. OB AirMed provides service to the Intermountain West, which consists of the following states: Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Colorado.
The need for a maternal transport may be a high-risk obstetrical issue or it can be a fetal concern where a Level III nursery is needed to care for the newborn after delivery.
Number of flights per month/per year(include zero deliveries on flight)
The average number of transports per month is usually between 25-30 flights. During the team existence only one in flight delivery has occured.
Director and Medical Control
OB AirMed is managed by Bart Chournos Chief OB Flight Nurse, Medical Control is provided by a perinatologist and neonatologist at the University Hospital. These two attending physicians provide knowledge and guidance with regards to standards of care for the high risk obstetrical patient.
Dedicated OB team (RN/RN team High Risk L&D and NBICU)
At AirMed the OB team consists of a High Risk L&D nurse and a Newborn Intensive Care nurse. A respiratory therapist may also be taken on a transport if there is a concern regarding airway issues. A portable ventilator is part of the equipment available to the team.
Types of flights :
OB AirMed transports can be taken to University Hospital or other surrounding facilities such as LDS Hospital, Utah Valley Regional Medical Center or St. Mark's Hospital. Along with physician to physician transport requests OB AirMed has the ability to respond to scene flights if the patient is in need of this service. OB AirMed will work in collaboration with the Adult AirMed team to address these circumstances.
Modes of transport: ground, fixed wing and rotor wing
Modes of transport used at OB AirMed are ground, jet-powered rotor wing and turboprop fixed wing. University Hospital is the home base for OB AirMed. At the hospital the team has immediate access to a rotor wing helicopter for a quick response time. AirMed has a total of 4 helicopters with three other remote bases throughout northern Utah. A fourth base was recently added in Rock Springs, Wyoming. When the distance for a transport is greater than 160 miles one way, a fixed wing aircraft is used for a quicker response time.
Bridge transports to Primary Children's
Working in conjunction with Primary Children's Hospital, OB AirMed transport neonates between University Hospital and Primary Children's, for admission and special procedures. The neonate is transferred via a tranport crib or isolette, depending on clinical needs.
Outreach teaching/education
OB AirMed provides a variety of educational offerings to hospital-based and EMS personnel. Examples of outreach education include, but are not limited to, emergency delivery in the field (for EMS peronnel), high-risk conditions of pregnancy, neonatal resuscitation, and preparing the obstetrical patient for transport.
O.B. Outreach Education Brochure
O.B. Outreach Education Request Form
Contact Info:
Dispatch / Administration
801-581-2500
Toll Free
800-453-0120
