ThedaStar Air Medical, based at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah, has recently completed an extensive reaccreditation process to ensure the continued safety and quality of care that is provided by the program. Completing this accreditation process demonstrates ThedaStar’s commitment to work collaboratively with ThedaCare, PHI Air Medical, LLC and regional partners to provide coordinated care to communities.
The Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems, also known as CAMTS, evaluated the program’s compliance with established safety and quality standards.
“CAMTS is a voluntary peer-review organization,” explained Kirk Vandenberg, ThedaStar Manager. “CAMTS has established evidence-based standards of performance. These standards focus on improving the quality of patient care and providing a safe transport environment. They also ensure our team is well-trained and has the equipment they need to provide excellent care.”
The CAMTS accreditation is valid for up to a three-year period, and ThedaStar has earned accreditation certifications in 2015, 2018 and 2021. Vandenberg said the accreditation process holds ThedaStar accountable to the standards. Prior to CAMTS on-site review, the organization requests records from the past few years to better understand how a program is meeting or exceeding standards.
“These are standards we practice every day,” said Vandenberg. “We’re very proud of our team members for their dedication to best practices, allowing us to provide quality care for those in Northeast and Central Wisconsin.”
ThedaStar’s team consists of flight nurses, critical care paramedics, pilots, mechanics, and communications specialists. The nurses and paramedics have minimum pre-hire experience requirements, and require advanced certifications and education in critical care, trauma, and transport. Communications specialists receive training specific to air medical transport.
The pilots and mechanics are employed by PHI Air Medical, LLC, who provide the helicopter and aviation support. All team members are ready to respond at a moment’s notice, explained Vandenberg.
“ThedaStar’s success relies on a team approach,” he said. “We work closely with EMS, fire departments, law enforcement, and other health care systems. It takes a coordinated effort to provide patients with the best possible care, and we’re just one small part of the patient care continuum.”
The CAMTS reaccre-ditation comes the same year ThedaStar is also celebrating its 35th year of providing air medical care. Since 1986, ThedaStar has transported more than 15,000 patients while serving the communities throughout Northeast and Central Wisconsin.
“Thanks to hospital leaders, physicians and community support, ThedaCare established the ThedaStar program in June 1986,” said Vandenberg. “When ThedaStar launched, it was the third air ambulance program in the state and the only one north of Milwaukee or Madison.”
ThedaStar provides helicopter transports for critically ill or injured patients. The majority of patients are transported from local or regional hospitals to specialized care services at ThedaCare hospitals or other tertiary care centers. The smaller portion of patients are transferred directly from incident scenes to the closest appropriate hospital.
“Over the years there have been many advancements in equipment and technology, including the helicopter, that have improved safety for our team and the care we provide to our patients,” said Vandenberg. “Our team members are proud to offer coordinated care to improve patient outcomes.”
To learn more about ThedaStar, the aircraft, map of the service area and other information, please visit thedacare.org/about-us/thedastar/.
