FALL 2015 So Serious, So Fast Page 2 The Last Piece Page 4 Outreach Education Page 5 A Special Reunion Page 7

Transcription

1 FALL 2015 So Serious, So Fast An Infection Becomes an Emergency in South Lake Tahoe Page 2 The Last Piece Page 4 Outreach Education Page 5 A Special Reunion Page 7

2 SO SERIOUS, SO FAST An Infection Becomes an Emergency in South Lake Tahoe By: Laura Kaufman 2

3 Living in beautiful Christmas Valley, near South Lake Tahoe, Billie Jo and Paul McAfee are used to a fairly self-sufficient life. The valley is 1,000 feet down, tucked into the mountains along Hwy. 89. Paul, a former Marine, and a heavy equipment mechanic for the City of South Lake Tahoe, is also a HAM radio operator. Billie Jo, a retired California Tahoe Conservancy secretary, says, Due to the isolated area, we have been CALSTAR members for years. Billie Jo, 68, recalls the challenges when winter pass closures cut off the valley from surrounding communities. But a different, unusual emergency arose for her last winter a fast-moving, mysterious flu-like illness that put their CALSTAR membership into action. We are prepared for many things, but we were not prepared for this. It was so insidious, the way it snuck up on me. I realized that it was getting worse very quickly, she says. On the first of February, Billie Jo developed an unusual cough. Then, she started vomiting. Drinking lots AT THE TIME, of fluids, she I HAD NO IDEA suspected she HOW SICK I WAS. had the flu, but wasn t sure. Three days later, she met her husband at the door as he returned from work. I think I m in trouble, she said. They went directly to the ER at Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe. On the way, Top photo: Winter Flight Left: Barton Memorial Hospital Helipad she passed out in the car. When we got there, they asked me to spell my name, and I couldn t. That is all she remembers. Billie Jo was already in critical condition. CALSTAR was called to transfer her quickly to the trauma center, Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno. She vaguely remembers thinking that the helicopter looked like a tiny mosquito, and she didn t think she would fit inside! But during the flight, she recalls feeling comfortable and warm. I remember the scene in little funny flash clips, she says. I remember a soothing voice saying in two minutes we will land, and here's what will happen. Mark Haase was on the transport that evening. He recalls Billie Jo s situation as complex, compounded by multiple factors, including electrolyte imbalances and fever. She was gravely ill with overt cardiac complications that warranted rapid air ambulance, he says. I recall her demeanor to be rather brave and calm in light of the seriousness. On arrival, Billie Jo vaguely remembers having a port installed in her neck, being prepared for surgery, and then bright lights overhead. She was later in the ICU for two days. She kept waking up to discover doctors all around her, but was not able to answer their questions. Her husband was always there. Billie Jo was continued on back page 3

4 THE LAST PIECE October 2015 marked another significant milestone in the history of California Shock Trauma Air Rescue (CALSTAR) when the organization chose the Airbus H135 P3 to replace its remaining four legacy BO105LS helicopters. This aircraft acquisition represents the conclusion of CALSTAR s fleet modernization plan, which was launched in CALSTAR followed a very rigorous review process that included a detailed analysis by third party expert Conklin & de Decker Associates and hands-on trials by our own pilots and flight nurses, explained Lynn D. Malmstrom, President and CEO. The H135 became the clear leader after we were able to test its capabilities in our unique high/hot operating environment. Over the last three years, CALSTAR has coordinated an operational transition to move the organization toward greater standardization and a variety of gains in operational efficiency by selling 20 legacy aircraft in three years and successfully acquiring and deploying eight new EC135 P2 helicopters and two Beechcraft King Air B200 airplanes. Before year-end 2015, two of the five new H135 helicopters will be delivered to Metro Aviation for medical interior completion and paint, with delivery to CALSTAR expected in the first quarter of The last three aircraft are scheduled to arrive at Metro for completion by mid-spring As soon as the new helicopters are operational, CALSTAR will remove the last four BO105 s from service, thus completing its fleet upgrade. We are extremely happy that this fleet transformation is now nearing its conclusion, says Tad Henderson, COO. As with the eight previous acquisitions, these new H135 helicopters will have a positive impact on our operations and will allow us to continue to provide the safest transport and care possible to our patients and healthcare partners in the communities we serve. Designed to operate in higher altitudes, such as those surrounding CALSTAR-6 in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the H135 P3 is known for its power, control, low sound levels, reliability, and cost competitiveness. The twin-engine helicopter can land almost anywhere, particularly in high and hot conditions, while carrying 440 pounds more weight over longer distances than other rotorcraft in its category. CALSTAR is the first air medical transport provider in the U.S. to acquire the H135. Best Wishes for Health & Happiness Can piece of mind fit in a stocking? Of course! This holiday season, surprise friends, family and the special people you know with a CALSTAR membership. Your generous gift will help our effort to provide life-saving services in your community. Gift memberships for families and individuals can be purchased online at or by calling LIFE (5433). 4

5 CALSTAR Welcomes New Director of Safety Outreach Education CALSTAR IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE RECENT APPOINTMENT OF MICHAEL W. KOENES Mr. Koenes brings significant real-world safety experience and insight to the organization, which will further support CALSTAR s commitment to the safety of our crews and the patients we transport, noted Lynn D. Malmstrom, President/CEO. From 2007 until accepting the offer to join CALSTAR, Koenes was the Sr. Director of Flight Safety at Air Methods in Denver, CO, and a key player in delivering safety programs to the largest air medical company in the world. Michael began his career in the U.S. Air Force, serving in active duty for 15 years. His prior experience includes his work at Rocky Mountain Helicopters as a Lead Maintenance Technician, and later, at Flight Management Corporation, as Aviation Maintenance Coordinator. In addition, Michael is a certified International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations Auditor, a certified Safety Management Systems and Aviation Program Management designee from the Transportation Safety Institute, as well as a certified Safety Risk Management Trainer. During his career, Michael earned his Airframe Powerplant and Inspection Authorization certificates in addition to his Private Pilot s license and instrument rating. Michael is deeply committed to both safety and service excellence" Tad Henderson, COO, adds. "His appointment will greatly enhance our leadership and the quality of our day-to-day operations. Visit to see a comprehensive list of Education activities, or contact CALSTAR s Education Services Manager, Margaret Franklin: (916) , mfranklin@calstar.org UPCOMING EVENTS Burn Management January 15 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Center Street Education Building, 405 Center Street, Yuba City We will discuss the differences associated with pediatric and adult burn patients, classification of burns, treatment, and case studies. This Lecture is appropriate for nurses, paramedics and first responders, and will provide 2 hours of continuing education credit. To obtain addition information or to register, please contact Eric Morgenroth: emorgenroth@frhg.org, (530) Lead ECG Interpretation January 29 8:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Twin Cities Community Hospital, Founder s Pavilion, Morgan Conference Center Course Topic(s): Review basic and intermediate ECG concepts. Describe configuration of the 12 leads. Differentiate between ischemia, injury, and infarction patterns. Learn how to determine the axis and confidently identify what the deviation implies. Recognize changes in ECG waveforms for patients with hyperkalemia and other abnormalities. Knowledge of basic ECG interpretation is recommended prior to taking a 12- lead class. This Course is appropriate for nurses, paramedics and first responders, and will provide 4 hours of continuing education credit. To obtain additional information or to register, please contact Jan Tiffin, RN, Education Manager: jan.tiffin@tenethealth.com, (805) TCCH and SVRMC employees may register for this course via Healthstream Learning Center.edu system. Please choose the class with the teacher/easel icon on the right side of the page. 5

6 Funding Update We are pleased to report that we are now more than halfway to our portable radio project funding goal. CALSTAR is grateful for the many individual donations we have received thus far, and we would also like to thank and acknowledge AIG for contributing $5,000 toward this important For more information on initiative. For more information on AIG s corporate citizenship, AIG s corporate citizenship and please visit community giving efforts, please visit: CALSTAR is seeking individual contributions and grant funding to replace our current handheld units with new high-performance MOTOTRBO XPR 7000 New Two-Way Portable Radios Total Funding Needed: $17,000 Remaining Funding Needed: $15,000 Series radios. The cost to equip each rotor base with three primary radios and one backup unit is approximately $4,000 per base, for a total project cost of $32,000. CALSTAR plans to purchase the new radios and put them into service by early Reliable two-way radio communications are vital to CALSTAR s operations. If you would like to support this project or another area of need, you can do so online by visiting To donate by mail instead, please send your donation to: CALSTAR Development & Outreach 4933 Bailey Loop McClellan, CA For all who have contributed to date, we thank you once again for your support! Photo: Kaleigh McCollum CALSTAR Receives New Clinical Training, Base Operations Funding We would like to acknowledge the following organizations for their generous support of several priority projects since our last publication: Chevron provided $4,000 in grant funding for new airway training devices and facility improvements at CALSTAR 7 (Santa Maria). Plumer Family Fund, an advised fund of the Santa Barbara Foundation, contributed $1,000 in general operating support for CALSTAR 7. Santa Clara County EMS Trust Fund granted CALSTAR $2,000 for new airway training devices at CALSTAR 2 (Gilroy). The George and Ruth Bradford Foundation awarded $2,000 to support our CALSTAR 4 (Ukiah) base operations. CALSTAR also received a total of $2,500 through the Walmart Community Grant Program from several stores in the Sacramento-Sierra Foothills region to assist our clinical outreach education efforts. We offer our sincere thanks to each of these organizations, and are pleased to recognize them as valued community partners. Walmart, Chevron and others recently provided funding for CALSTAR s operations and clinical education program. 6

7 A Special Reunion Recently, at the annual banquet of Alameda County Emergency Medical Services, 10-year-old Carlo Cooney got the chance to meet the camp counselors, First Responders and CALSTAR flight crew who responded to his emergency last March. While ascending a rock-climbing wall at the YMCA Camp in Livermore, Carlo s heart suddenly stopped. Camp counselors provided CPR and utilized a defibrillator to shock his heart into action, and then First Responders worked to stabilize him for transport. CALSTAR flight nurses, Michelle Starbuck and Tim Castelli, provided critical care en route to UCSF Benioff Children s Hospital where he was treated by the trauma team Siren Award, Alameda County EMS CALSTAR Pilot Mike Kunkel visits with the Cooney family To honor the team and their efforts, Alameda County EMS presented those involved with the 2015 Siren Award and reunited them with the Cooney family. Carlos told me he wants to fly helicopters when he grows up, beamed Mike Kunkel, pilot. We are very honored to be given this opportunity to spend time with Carlos and his family. It s a rare gift to meet the patients we transport and learn about their recovery. We appreciate every moment of it. On behalf of the participants, I wish to thank CALSTAR for sharing the vital work that all your personnel do. Brian J. Scally, AHC EMS Program Assistant The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) of Santa Maria completes an informative session and drill with CALSTAR-7. Recent Hires & Promotions CALSTAR is pleased to welcome the following new team members and congratulate those who have assumed new roles since our last publication: New Hires Fallon Wareham Matthew Hackney Jennifer Wilkinson Steven McCarthy Kelly Cox Admin Coordinator Megan Kastorsky Promotions Christi Claudio Payroll/Scheduling Manager Desiree Deen Supply Chain Specialist II Martin Korey Operational Control Center Specialist Thomas McNeil Operational Control Center Specialist Billie Woodyard Fred Maru Jack Finnegan John Bettencourt Regional Operations Director Mary Garrett Michael Koenes Director of Safety Dianne Cooper Base Aircraft Technician Emily Schaaf A/P Specialist Jason Sanada Aircraft Technician Mike Eagle Regional Operations Director Mike Spiro Paul Stack Lead Pilot Toby Sparks Tonisha Armstrong Matt Alvis Supply Chain Specialist Stephanie Gavin I 7

8 continued from page 3 So Serious, So Fast 4933 Bailey Loop McClellan, CA CALSTAR is an equal opportunity provider and employer Please visit for a list of our Member and Affiliate Hospitals camts Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems Accredited since 2001 camts Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems Accredited since 2001 CALSTAR Board of Directors Kenneth L. Meehan, Board Chairman & Associate Member COO, Atlas Lift Tech Lynn D. Malmstrom, Board President President & CEO, CALSTAR Michael S. Heil, Director Principal, HealthWorks, Inc. Accredited since 2001 CALSTAR is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services (CAMTS), which acknowledges excellence in program safety, patient care, communications, education and administration. Kacey Hansen, RN, Member Representative Executive Director of Trauma & Regional Transfer Center Services John Muir Health, Walnut Creek Mike T. Johnson, FACHE, Member Representative President & CEO Regional Medical Center of San Jose Dionne Cruz Miller, Member Representative Chief Operating Officer Sutter Roseville Medical Center put into quarantine, and on the fifth day, her doctor told her what had happened: severe sepsis. I had to look it up, as I had never heard of it. I was shocked to discover that this was one of the things people died from in World War I, when they had wounds and no antibiotics. It s a bacterial infection, and it can get into your bloodstream and take over, wrecking your organs and your brain. I read that people often die within about four days. According to the Sepsis Alliance, sepsis is the body s toxic response to infection. The organization says that every hour that sepsis is not treated increases the risk of death. I truly believe that I would not be alive if not for the helicopter transport. At the time, I had no idea how sick I was. Sepsis gets to a point where you can t reverse it, and time is of the essence, she says. An ambulance would have taken an hour and a half, but CALSTAR got me there in about 20 minutes. In Billie Jo s case, the source of the sepsis was a mystery. To her surprise, much later it was discovered to be caused by a seriously diseased gallbladder. Tests of that organ had originally come back normal its condition possibly masked by all the medications and antibiotics she was on. However, as she continued healing, she was still aware that something was not quite right. Recovery and Recharging After about two months, Billie Jo felt good enough to go for coffee or shopping with friends, but found she would have to spend the next two days in bed. I d tell myself, Cover Photo: Randy Sharp this is a reminder that you were very sick and need to take things slow. Something still wasn t allowing her to fully bounce back. After she underwent a highly specialized scan, it was indeed found that her gallbladder was in bad shape. When she had it removed, months later, Billie Jo recovered right away. Recently, she stopped by the Billie Jo McAfee CALSTAR station at the South Lake Tahoe airport to say hello, and to thank the staff for her nick-of-time transport last February. It s amazing what CALSTAR pilots and personnel can do. In winter here, we have bad accidents or mishaps in the Kirkwood area, and they are crackerjack at getting in and helping people in need. I ve told everyone in the valley that it s a no-brainer: join as a member, Billie Jo says. I just want to extend my thanks to CALSTAR. If they hadn t gotten me to the trauma center in such an expeditious manner, I probably wouldn t be here to deliver the message, she adds. Back in Christmas Valley, the McAfees are again readying for the winter. This time, they are looking forward to a happy, healthy, and much less eventful New Year. CALSTAR Management Team Lynn D. Malmstrom President & CEO Mark Vincenzini Chief Financial Officer Tad Henderson Chief Operations Officer OUR MISSION: To save lives, reduce disability and speed recovery for victims of trauma and illness through rapid transport, quality medical care and education.