Helicopter Transport

Intensive-level care that continues in the air.

We are called when patients have life-threatening illnesses or injuries and need our critical care expertise and rapid transport to the right facility...immediately.

Each helicopter carries a pilot and a highly trained medical team of two: a critical care transport nurse and critical care transport paramedic. Coordinated by our communications center, we respond to the scene and work with the local emergency service personnel to stabilize the victim for air transport to the trauma center. 

The advanced level of care the patient receives, from the moment we pick them up to the moment we transfer them to the waiting trauma team, can make a real difference in their survival and recovery. 

During flight, we contact the receiving hospital and give them an update with current patient information, highlight any concerns, let them know of any immediate needs that should be addressed when we arrive, and brief them so they know exactly what to expect. Once we land, we follow well-established protocols that ensure a smooth transfer of the patient from our care to theirs.

How much does New England depend on our rotor-wing services? A lot more than you probably think:

• Helicopter transports of very sick and seriously injured patients account for 43% of Boston MedFlight missions.
• We fly approximately 1,960 helicopter critical care transport missions per year—an average of 5.4 flights a day.
• Boston MedFlight operates helicopters out of facilities at Hanscom Field, Bedford, Plymouth Municipal Airport, Lawrence Municipal Airport and Mansfield Municipal Airport