Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service helicopters are staffed by at least two medical professionals. Crew configurations may consist of two critical care flight nurses or a critical care flight nurse and a critical care flight paramedic. Neonatal and pediatric specialty teams from Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus, in Rochester, Minnesota, are available when needed.

The in-flight team is supported by specialists at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, who are available for telephone or radio consultations.

Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus, is an accredited adult and pediatric Level I Trauma Center. This recognition by the American College of Surgeons designates health care facilities that have the resources and staff to deliver the level of care required for people with trauma.

Medical director

A Mayo Clinic emergency medicine specialist and a trauma surgeon oversee Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service air ambulance helicopters. A pediatric consultant oversees pediatric care, and a neonatologist oversees neonatal care. The doctors work with the paramedics, respiratory therapists and nurses to implement care protocols, monitor continuous quality improvement, and conduct and complete medical research.

Medical equipment

The medical equipment and medications on board transform Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service helicopters into mobile emergency departments or intensive care units equipped to handle nearly anyone with a critical illness or injury. Sophisticated onboard equipment includes external defibrillators, external pacemakers and other advanced-level equipment. All Mayo Clinic helicopters carry a portable lab analyzer that measures arterial or venous blood gases, electrolytes, hemoglobin, lactate, and INR levels.

Mayo’s medical helicopter can transport people receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support or cardiac ventricular assist devices with the appropriate complement of care providers.

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