MedCenter Air
When minutes can mean the difference between life and death, look to Atrium Health’s MedCenter Air for fast, reliable, emergency and critical care patient transport services.
With our fleet of jets, planes, helicopters and ambulances, MedCenter Air offers rapid patient transport and support for EMS responders throughout the region. The fixed wing aircraft are operated by GAMA Aviation, LLC; the rotor-wing aircraft are operated by Air Methods Corporation. Our custom-equipped vehicles serve as mobile critical care units for medical facilities, EMS providers, insurance companies, managed-care organizations and the public. We meet strict accreditation standards set by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (PDF).
Public Notice
The Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems will conduct an accreditation site visit of MedCenter Air on April 25 and 26, 2022.
The purpose of the site visit will be to evaluate the program's compliance with nationally established medical transport standards. The site visit results will be used to determine whether, and the conditions under which accreditation should be awarded to the program.
CAMTS accreditation standards deal with issues of patient care and safety of the transport environment. Anyone believing that he or she has pertinent or valid information about such matters may request a public information interview with the CAMTS site surveyors at the time of the site visit. Information presented at the interview will be carefully evaluated for relevance to the accreditation process. Requests for public information interviews must be made in writing and sent to CAMTS no later than 10 business days before the site survey begins. The request should also include the nature of the information to be provided during the interview. Such request should be addressed to:
Office of the Executive Director
Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems
PO Box 130
Sandy Springs, SC 29677
The Commission will acknowledge such written requests in writing or by telephone and will inform the program of the request for an interview. The Commission will, in turn, notify the interviewee of the date, time and place of the meeting.
This notice is posted in accordance with CAMTS requirements and shall not be removed until the site visit is completed.
Date posted: March 24, 2022
Helicopter Critical Care Transport
MedCenter Air operates four helicopter bases that serve North and South Carolina. Located in Concord, Hickory, Wadesboro and Rock Hill, the bases are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our custom American Eurocopter EC135 P2+ helicopters operate within a 150-mile radius of each base and are equipped to make scene and inter-facility responses. All are equipped with the following:
- Twin engines
- IFR capabilities
- Satellite tracked
- Night vision goggles
- Advanced medical equipment including cardiac monitors, ventilators, IV infusion pumps, advanced drug supply and an Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
- Two units of blood and two units of liquid plasma
Additionally, our crew’s capabilities are extensive:
- MedCenter Air’s helicopter pilots are provided under contract from Air Methods Corporation and hold FAA helicopter certificates with instrument helicopter ratings.
- Pilots have logged at least 3,000 hours of helicopter flight time and 1,000 hours in turbine helicopters.
Additionally, our highly qualified crew must meet rigorous requirements:
- Crew members have RN/RN, RN/RRT or RN/Paramedic configuration.
- Nurses and therapists have three to five years of experience in ICU or ER medicine and must be cross-credentialed with EMS certifications.
- Crew receives advanced training in aeromedical physiology, aircraft safety and transport protocols.
- Additional requirements include TNCC, ITLS, ATLS, ACLS, PALS, BLS, STABLE, NRP-certified, and undergo quarterly simulation training.
A web-based GPS location tool helps our dispatch team find you using Global Positioning System coordinates.
Request MedCenter Air Services
Airplane Transport
Public Relations Event Coverage
Ground Ambulance Event Coverage
Fixed Wing Critical Care Transport
MedCenter Air offers national and international transport capabilities through four fixed-wing aircraft, servicing 6 service lines:
- Air Ambulance: For air ambulance coordination, we can assist in Prior Authorization needs that most insurance and payer sources require prior to transport. The quote is inclusive of all ground transportation & privatized medical services at an ICU level of care. Learn more about our air ambulance service line.
- Medical Assistance/Repatriation: For medical assistance coordination, this is a service we provide via commercial airline with an appropriate level of care to accompany the patient. The cost is inclusive of airline tickets, ground transportation, and basic medical needs that may arise in flight. Learn more about our medical assistance and repatriation service line.
- Neonatology/High-Risk OB: For neonatal, pediatric, and high-risk OB, this is a service we provide via air ambulance with an appropriate level of care to accompany the patient. MedCenter Air offers transport with a dedicated team available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week for neonatal and pediatric transports. Learn more about our neonatal and high-risk OB service line.
- ECMO: MedCenter Air offers transport for “Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.” ECMO is a procedure that is a bridge for transplantation and used as a support for cardiac and pulmonary failure patients. Transport occurs by Critical Care Ground ambulance or Fixed Wing to an ECMO specialty center. Atrium Health is an ELSO designated Gold Center of Excellence. Neonatal, Pediatric, and Adult populations are candidates. Learn more about our ECMO service line.
- Organ: LifeShare of the Carolinas is the organ recovery partner to Atrium Health. Both are federally designated members of the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network. Learn more about our organ procurement service line.
Our staff are available 24 hours a day for emergencies and scheduled patient transports. We operate two Pilatus PC24 and two Cessna Citation jets. Learn more about our aircraft and capabilities.
Each crew member:
- Is a registered nurse, registered respiratory therapist or paramedic
- Has 3-5 years of practice in an intensive care unit, emergency department, critical care setting
- Has EMS certifications
- Receives advanced training in aeromedical physiology, aircraft safety and transport protocols
- Trains in operating rooms and simulation labs
MedCenter Air Specifics/Endorsements:
- Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport System (CAMTS) - Accredited FW/GR/RW/MA
- The Joint Commission (JCAHO)
- ARG/US Platinum Rating
- North Carolina Air Medical Affiliation (NCAA)
- Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS)
- Association of Critical Care Transport (ACCT)
- National Association of Air Medical Communications Specialists (NAACS)
Ground Critical Care Transport
MedCenter Air uses specialty care and critical care ambulances for patient transports throughout the region. Critical care transport ambulances are available when needed in Charlotte, Concord, Hickory, Lincolnton, Kannapolis, Pineville and Monroe, NC, as well as Rock Hill, SC.
Our specialized staff includes emergency medical technicians, paramedics, nurses and respiratory therapists. Our paramedics have at least three years of EMS experience and are trained in critical care ground transport.
Neonatal Pediatric Team
MedCenter Air’s neonatal and pediatric specialty team consists of full time dedicated registered nurses, registered respiratory therapists and paramedics. Each has extensive training in neonatal transport using our aircraft and ambulances. Our Code Baby Tool Kit is available for download in PDF format. Select any of the items below:
For Providers/Medical Transport Professionals
Learn more about our communications center, helicopter landing zone guidelines, outreach program and online tools and resources.
Contact MedCenter Air
For more information, call us at 800-421-9195 or 704-512-7941. Or, email us.