Grady launches state-of-the-art emergency medical helicopter

Grady launches state-of-the-art emergency medical helicopter

Grady Memorial Hospital's new medical helicopter will take to the skies shortly to provide quick access to life-saving trauma care. Officials say the air ambulance will provide intensive care unit-level treatments to patients during transport. The helicopter will be staffed by Grady personnel and Air Methods pilots.

ATLANTA - Grady Memorial Hospital is launching a new state-of-the-art medical helicopter aimed at saving more lives across metro Atlanta.

Officials say the new air ambulance is equipped with advanced life-support equipment designed for the highest level of care during emergency transport.

What we know:

The hospital developed the new helicopter in partnership with Air Methods, a company specializing in medical air transport.

Officials with Grady Health System say the aircraft can provide intensive care unit-level treatments to patients while on the move, allowing quicker access to trauma care while the patient is being rushed to the hospital. 

Grady Air will be staffed by Grady medical personnel, including nurses, paramedics, and critical care specialists and Air Methods pilots. It has enough equipment to accommodate multiple caregivers at once.

The service will be available 24/7 across metro Atlanta and the region.

What they're saying:

For trauma patients, the clock is the enemy, but Grady Health System says their medical helicopter is their powerful new weapon to fight back.

"It is very time sensitive when we get called in," said Pete Powell, Grady Air Flight Nurse. 

For two decades, Powell has been on the front lines in an emergency room, but now he is taking that care to the air.

"Even in the worst moment of somebody's life, we are there to provide that care for them and to be able to do that, we have to be able to provide the best care in an efficient, timely manner," he said.

Grady says this helicopter is an ICU in the sky and even has the ability to deliver whole blood, which is a rarity for a medical helicopter in Georgia.

"With us having that ability to give blood to patients that are bleeding will save lives and that has been proven," said Dr. Ryan Fransman, Medical Director of Grady Air at Grady Health System. 

While medical helicopters regularly land at Grady Memorial Hospital, this is the first operated by the health system’s staff. 

Air ambulances are vitally important during emergency situations to save time by flying patients over traffic. 

A year ago, an Apalachee High School shooting victim was flown to Grady to get the care they desperately needed.

"Patients are going to be getting care, way quicker than prior and they're going to be getting intensive care and resuscitation at advanced levels way quicker than prior," said Dr. Fransman.

For now Grady Air is made up of just one helicopter, but they say there is always room to add another.