US air medical transport provider Classic Air Medical and not-for-profit health system Intermountain Healthcare are opening a new helicopter medical transport base on the Intermountain Cassia Regional Hospital campus in Burley, Idaho.

Classic Air Medical will begin providing a critical care service in summer 2022, with a team of three caregivers on base, including a pilot, a critical care flight medic and a critical care flight nurse. A mechanic will also be on campus.

The flight team will be on duty around the clock to coordinate care with Cassia Regional's ground ambulance team as well as the emergency room staff.

For over 30 years, Classic Air Medical has been providing air medical support from 22 bases across the Rocky Mountains and Desert Southwest, with coverage of New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. In 2021, it completed approximately 7,000 flights with its fleet of 28 aircraft, including 16 rotary and 12 fixed wing units.

Intermountain Healthcare acquired Classic Air Medical last year to enhance the health system's ability to serve rural communities throughout the Intermountain West. Classic Air Medical also operates Portneuf Air Rescue in Pocatello.

“Providing excellent health care is a team sport that requires the expertise of many different players,” says Intermountain Cassia Regional Hospital administrator Ben Smalley. “Bringing the resources and expertise of Classic Air to the Mini-Cassia area will enhance our ability to provide patients with the highest quality care possible.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has given Intermountain Healthcare caregivers additional experience in helping patients remain in their hometown hospitals for care through use of their expansive telehealth services. But having a Classic Air Medical base on campus will benefit patients needing more specialised care, enabling easier and faster air transport to those medical facilities best equipped to care for them.

“We're excited to join with Cassia Regional to continue to serve patients throughout the Mini-Cassia community to ensure they have access to high-value, coordinated care as close to home as possible,” says Classic Air CEO Tony Henderson. “Joining with Intermountain Cassia Regional is complimentary to the outstanding care patients already receive there, and we will work with the outreach services, telehealth and digital solutions developed by Intermountain to better serve patients.”