UT LIFESTAR responds to emergency flight requests across the East Tennessee region.
Aircraft standby allows requesting agencies to decrease the time from the incident where a patient is injured or becomes ill and the time that they arrive at a care facility.
Time-critical patients such as trauma victims, burn, pediatric, stroke, or cardiac patients are all good examples of patients who benefit from the rapid and efficient care that aircraft standby provides.
On-Ground Standby
When UT LIFESTAR is placed on standby, the pilot will perform a weather check and ready the aircraft. The medical crew will stand by with the pilot at the helipad until responded or stood down. Average time from standby to respond is approximately five minutes to start and launch the aircraft.
In-Air Standby
The pilot will perform a weather check and ready the aircraft. The medical crew will rendezvous at the aircraft. At this point, after all preflight procedures are complete; UT LIFESTAR will take off and proceed toward the area of the responding request while awaiting further directions. This decreases the time of response and subsequently the time it takes to get a patient to definitive care; i.e. surgery, trauma services, interventional cardiac catheterization lab, pediatrics, neurosurgery, or other specialty resources.
On Scene: When the call is reported to the requesting agency, UT LIFESTAR can be placed on in air standby. Example: “Attention EMS and Fire please respond to a one vehicle roll over, unknown number of patients, unknown extent of injuries.” UT LIFESTAR will proceed to the area of the call until requested to either proceed to the scene and land or the call is canceled.
Interfacility: In the event a patient needs to be transferred to another facility and acceptance has not yet been confirmed, UT Lifestar will take off and proceed to the hospital while your acceptance process is completed, or the request is canceled.
Charge for Services: Is there a charge for an in air standby? In the event UT LIFESTAR is canceled during an in air standby, there will be no cost charged to the patient or requesting agency. If a patient is transported, there is no additional cost based on how the helicopter was requested.
How to Arrange Standby
For emergency air transportation, or to arrange aircraft standby, call toll-free: 800-792-1033
For non-emergency questions or more information, please contact Terry Neal, Regional Operations Manager, at 865-305-9109 or via e-mail at [email protected].