The Critical Care Ground Award of Excellence, sponsored by the International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC), recognizes an individual or team that has made an outstanding contribution to a critical care ground transport service in any of the following areas: enhancing safety, education, leadership, patient advocacy by developing or promoting the improvement of patient care in the medical transport community. The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is proud to declare Ascension Wisconsin Spirit Medical Transport as the 2018 recipient.

“Our entire team is honored to be named the recipient of this prestigious award from AAMS,” said Ted Ryan, Director, Ascension Wisconsin Spirit Medical Transport. “Our mission driven associates are part of a statewide team that delivers compassionate, personalized care and we’re delighted to share this award with them and the communities we serve.”

Since 1993, Spirit Medical Transport has been the region leader, providing more than 50,000 safe and timely critical care transports across their 11,600 square mile coverage zone. Operating from four hospital-based locations, they serve central and northern Wisconsin even out in the rural areas where winter can be harsh and cause extreme road conditions. Their commitment to patient safety goes even further with a recent $2 million investment in capital enhancements. This includes updated cardiac monitors, a dedicated intra-aortic balloon pump for transport, a Baby Pod and two isopods for transport of highly-infectious patients. With a recent Ebola scare, Spirit took the lead and became one of only a few Wisconsin Category One EMS providers certified to transport highly-infectious patients.

To stay at the top of patient care and safety, both ground and flight associates are held to the same high standard of training, education, and certifications. Most of their flight associates are trained to work in both air and ground conditions to provide even more flexibility to the team. They continually assess their CAMTS accredited program for opportunities to improve. Their Safety Committee actively empowers their associates to address issues and put systems in place the ensure safe operations such as, the use of a Risk Assessment tool that generates a pre-transport risk score, the Stryker Power Load system to assist with patient loading and unloading, the requirement of Coaching and Emergency Vehicle Operator (CEVO) certification for all associates, and an uninterrupted period at the start of a shift for crews to perform extensive vehicle checks to ensure everything is ready to go.

Operating out of and serving most Ascension Wisconsin network hospitals, patients receive a continuum of care from transport through their hospital stay. Spirit goes above the call and even supports their rural community’s EMS programs by sending intercept paramedics to the scene of accidents to offer a higher level of care. All Critical Care Ambulances and Paramedic Intercept vehicles are equipped with GPS tracking to immediately alert the Communications Center if something happens during transport.

The center also provides real-time weather alerts to crews throughout their shifts, which proves crucial during the colder months. Safety, quality and education are keys to the success of Spirit Medical Transport. They have created an environment where the patient is comfortable in knowing they will be transported safely whether it’s a blizzard, ice storm, or an ordinary sunny day.