Guardian Flight Alaska Uses Mobile Integrated Healthcare Program to Help Alaskans During Pandemic
11.29.2021
The air medical transport company is now delivering mobile integrated healthcare and monitoring services to patients in Fairbanks and the surrounding communities.
Guardian Flight Alaska, in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, and state EMS, are now delivering mobile integrated healthcare and monitoring services to patients in Fairbanks and the surrounding communities. The program, funded by the American Rescue Plan, was designed to alleviate oversaturation in local hospitals and emergency rooms by providing at-home care for patients recently discharged from the hospital.
“As hospitals and EMS agencies continue navigating increasing COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, we are helping to provide transitional care for patients recently discharged, thereby reducing chances of readmittance to the hospital,” said Jared Sherman, Vice President of Operations for Guardian Flight’s parent company, Global Medical Response. “While the program was implemented in response to COVID-19, the results are proving that mobile integrated healthcare is highly beneficial, especially in more rural states like Alaska.”
Todd McDowell, Manager of the State Office of Emergency Medical Services, shared that the state is pleased with the goals and direction of the program. “We’re excited to partner with Guardian Flight and Fairbanks Memorial Hospital in bringing a Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) program to the Fairbanks area. MIH is a patient-centric program that uses a team of physicians, nurses, and EMS providers to provide increased access to care provided in the comfort and safety of the patient’s home.”
The mobile integrated health team of clinicians, including air medical crews from Guardian Flight Alaska’s operations, are responsible for educating patients on at-home medical devices and providing routine phone visits and at-home appointments.
Sarah Martin, Chief Nursing Officer at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital also praised the program for bringing patient-centered care directly to the patient’s home. “This newly expanded partnership between FHP and Guardian Flight offers support outside the walls of our hospital. Once patients have been evaluated by FHP providers, Guardian Flight staff can continue providing collaborative, high-quality, patient-centered care in a patient’s home. This care is provided through a specific protocol that includes daily phone calls and a community mobile health unit staffed with paramedics and healthcare professionals.”
In addition to Fairbanks, the mobile healthcare platform has been launched in four other regions throughout the state and will run through the end of December.
“As hospitals and EMS agencies continue navigating increasing COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, we are helping to provide transitional care for patients recently discharged, thereby reducing chances of readmittance to the hospital,” said Jared Sherman, Vice President of Operations for Guardian Flight’s parent company, Global Medical Response. “While the program was implemented in response to COVID-19, the results are proving that mobile integrated healthcare is highly beneficial, especially in more rural states like Alaska.”
Todd McDowell, Manager of the State Office of Emergency Medical Services, shared that the state is pleased with the goals and direction of the program. “We’re excited to partner with Guardian Flight and Fairbanks Memorial Hospital in bringing a Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) program to the Fairbanks area. MIH is a patient-centric program that uses a team of physicians, nurses, and EMS providers to provide increased access to care provided in the comfort and safety of the patient’s home.”
The mobile integrated health team of clinicians, including air medical crews from Guardian Flight Alaska’s operations, are responsible for educating patients on at-home medical devices and providing routine phone visits and at-home appointments.
Sarah Martin, Chief Nursing Officer at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital also praised the program for bringing patient-centered care directly to the patient’s home. “This newly expanded partnership between FHP and Guardian Flight offers support outside the walls of our hospital. Once patients have been evaluated by FHP providers, Guardian Flight staff can continue providing collaborative, high-quality, patient-centered care in a patient’s home. This care is provided through a specific protocol that includes daily phone calls and a community mobile health unit staffed with paramedics and healthcare professionals.”
In addition to Fairbanks, the mobile healthcare platform has been launched in four other regions throughout the state and will run through the end of December.
