SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― Regional West Medical Center’s Air Link air ambulance service has again been awarded a full three-year accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS). The commission is a nationally recognized organization that ensures medical transport programs meet national standards for safety, education, and training.

Patient care and safety are Air Link’s top priorities The team holds monthly safety meetings that include pilots, mechanics, flight crew, Air Link management, the medical director, and the Transfer Center. In addition to flight critiques, meetings include educational topics that pertain to safety, such as the use of night vision goggles and going through case scenarios.

“The CAMTS survey is vigorous and reviews numerous areas of which a certain standard must be met to receive accreditation. The Air Link program prides itself on exceeding these standards and continues to maintain this very important accreditation,” said John Mentgen, president and CEO Regional West Health Services.

Air Link is one of four CAMTS-accredited medical transport programs in Nebraska and has been accredited since 2001. Nationwide, 162 programs have earned CAMTS accreditation.

Air Link became an integral part of Regional West’s Trauma Services program in November of 1995. Air Link is staffed by highly trained pilots, flight nurses, and flight paramedics who provide monitoring, critical care intervention, and advanced life support procedures to critically ill or injured adult and pediatric patients. The program operates throughout a five-state region including Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota, Kansas, and Colorado.

Air Link flies a Bell 407GX helicopter which is maintained and operated by Med-Trans, Corp. and a Pilatus PC-12 airplane that is maintained and operated by Guardian Flight.     

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 188-bed regional referral center and one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the state. As the region’s only tertiary referral medical center, Regional West offers care that spans more than 32 medical specialties provided by over 28 physician clinics. With nearly 300 in-network providers, and 2,000 employees, Regional West provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.