SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, in collaboration with PHI Air Medical, announces an enhancement in its air medical transport services, broadening its capacity to reach and serve more patients in need.
Through this strategic partnership, the hospital has transitioned from visual flight rules (VFR) to instrument flight rules (IFR), enabling safe operating in weather conditions.
The shift to IFR marks a pivotal advancement, allowing Cardinal Glennon to conduct flights with lower visibility limits and in situations where visual ground contact is compromised.
PHI’s aircraft and pilots undergo rigorous training and hold full certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) specifically for flying under these conditions. Throughout an IFR flight, pilots maintain continuous communication with air traffic controllers, benefitting from specialized radar supervision in numerous locations. This ensures optimal aircraft separation and obstacle avoidance, guaranteeing the utmost safety and efficiency.
“We are thrilled to announce this step forward in our air medical transport capabilities,” said Brandie Tieken, director of emergency services at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.
“We are unwavering in our commitment to innovation and improvement, allowing us to serve our community with unparalleled care.”
Echoing this sentiment, Chris Shaffer, Eastern Region director at PHI Air Medical, expresses excitement about this advancement as well: “It is our mission at PHI to move communities to health, and this change allows us to serve even more members of this community. We are grateful for our partnership with Cardinal Glennon and how together we can continue upholding the highest standards of care.”
This partnership between Cardinal Glennon and PHI Air Medical exemplifies a shared vision to deliver excellence in patient care and advance air medical transportation.
This press release was prepared and distributed by PHI Air Medical.
