Vanderbilt LifeFlight is the critical care air medical transport service of Vanderbilt Medical Center. Supporting the Level 1 Trauma Center at Vanderbilt, LifeFlight utilizes three American Eurocopter ec145 helicopters, two American Eurocopter BK-117 helicopters, a King Air 200 fixed wing aircraft and specialized neonatal critical care ambulances. Our helicopters are strategically placed in Lebanon, Tullahoma, Clarksville and Mt. Pleasant, thus providing rapid access to definitive care for all of Middle Tennessee, Southern Kentucky, and Northern Alabama. Staffed by highly trained flight nurses, flight paramedics, communicators and pilots, LifeFlight provides the highest level of care during transport.

LifeFlight medical crews perform aggressive medical procedures in the aircraft including:

• rapid sequence induction with oral intubation
• nasal intubation
• needle and surgical cricothyrotomy
• needle chest decompression
• chest tube placement, pericardiocentesis
• central IV placement
• blood transfusion with packed red blood cells carried on board
• transportation of patients requiring intra-aortic balloon pump assistance
• specialized pediatric, neonatal and maternal cases
•  vent accommodation

All procedures are easily performed in the aircraft during transport, therefore providing the highest level of care possible in the most efficient manner. Many medications are given per protocols with medical control advice and assistance always available via telephone or radio. The Emergency Department Attending Physicians at Vanderbilt Hospital provide medical control.