Medical Specialties
Medical Director
Guardian Flight’s medical director is board certified in Emergency Medicine and is a member of the Air Medical Physician Association. Physician consultation is available in
all situations and all aircraft are outfitted with satellite phones. Treatment guidelines are kept current with the latest trends in medicine.
Cardiac
Guardian teams interpret electrocardiograms and carry a full range of cardiac support medications including: thrombolytic therapy, GP2B3A platelet inhibitors, IV nitroglycerin, IV heparin anticoagulant, antidysrhythmia drugs, cardioprotective medications, and vasopressors. Frequent decisions for cardiac intervention (Cardiac Catheterization Lab) are made in the field. Guardian Flight frequently transports patients with multiple infusions and monitoring needs to specialty hospitals.
Trauma
Multiple lifesaving procedures are available including: Ventilator therapy, severe head injury management, chest decompression, orthopedic immobilization and fracture management, vascular access, lab analysis and resuscitation. Guardian Flight can provide type O-negative blood for traumatic and hemorrhagic shock.
Neurological
Guardian carries a range of medications for CNS emergencies, blood pressure control, airway control and seizures. All medical teams have been trained in fracture/dislocation reduction to reduce neurological/vascular impairment in orthopedic injuries.
Metabolic and Endocrine
Guardian Flight carries the I-Stat blood analyzer (calibrated daily) and can perform repetitive testing at the point of care.
Obstetrics
Equipment is on board for eclamsia, blood pressure control, premature labor and deliveries. Guardian Flight has high risk OB support equipment including fetal monitors, Baby Pod II transport device, ventilators, and specialty medications.
Infectious Disease
Antibiotics are available for trauma needs and for pneumonia/sepsis/meningitis or other critical infections.
Pain Control
Multiple modalities for pain management and sedation are available as indicated. Psychiatric emergency patients can also be carried safely, with chemical and physical restraints.
Neonatal and Pediatric ICU
Guardian’s flight crews are capable of transporting Newborn and Pediatric patients to Anchorage or Seattle hospitals. Infusion pumps for multiple drips, can be set as low as 1cc/hr. Pressor medications, a Cross-vent 4+ ventilator with neonatal/pediatric capability, Baby Pod II transport device, and I-Stat lab analyzers are standard on these flights.
Respiratory
A registered respiratory therapist is on-call for ventilatory support. Sophisticated transport ventilators and monitoring equipment are utilized for patients from neonate to adult. Medications are available for treatment of respiratory crises. Guardian Flight carries equipment for intubation/rapid sequence induction, cricothyrotomy, King LTD-S and LMAs for infant through adult difficult airway emergencies.
