Article Photos

NEW MARTINSVILLE - Some questions and concerns about a medical helicopter company locating in Wetzel County were raised during a recent meeting between officials from Air EVAC Lifeteam and the Wetzel County Commission.

Andy Arthurs of Air EVAC Lifeteam spoke before the commissioners to provide more information about Air EVAC's possible relocation near Wetzel County Hospital.

The medical helicopter outfit is currently stationed at the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport. Air EVAC is in negotiations with Wetzel County Hospital for a possible site by the hospital for this medical air ambulance. To accommodate the medical helicopter there would be a hangar, office space and a mobile barrack that would house the personnel who are on-call 24 hours, seven days a week.

This would include a pilot, EMT and a flight nurse.

A five-year lease with the Wetzel County Hospital is in the works. Arthurs gave a talk to the commissioners and the Wetzel County Building Commission that included the background of Air EVAC and how it was started in 1985 to help in rural and remote areas in the United States.

He said Air EVAC has 88 bases in 14 states in America.

"Areas just like here is where the need exists," explained Arthurs. "We bring you this service to be able to transport people to a cardiac or trauma center when needed."

He outlined how Wetzel County Hospital would be just steps away from the helipad and a helicopter waiting to transport a patient in need. Arthurs spoke of creating a joint awareness involving the WCH and the community.

One building commission member asked the question why Air EVAC was leaving the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport where they are located now. Arthurs told the board member, "That's a good question, and honestly we messed up in the location," he said. "After a year we realized those hospitals in that area are on the receiving end of getting patients, not sending them out."

County Commission President Don Mason pointed out that some of the residents living near the hospital are concerned about more helicopter noise of takeoffs and landings.

George Couch, chief executive officer of WCH, said, "We are only going to be taking in an extra flight or one-and-a-half flights a day compared to what we are doing right now. If it's you or a relative that needs out of here(transported out of WCH), having the helicopter on site will make you feel better about it."

Couch noted that the entire time he has been at WCH there have been only two complaints about helicopters landing at the pad; one involved a large helicopter that came in and the other complaint was a helicopter that had to make an emergency landing due to fog.

"We do think it's a progressive move for this hospital and it will benefit the hospital," Couch said.

One employee from Air EVAC brought to the attention of those present at the meeting that once the 911 center is completed, the helicopter would not being flying even close to the school.

Marge Knight, chief director of emergency and outpatient services of WCH, also was present to discuss the importance of Air EVAC being so close to the hospital.

"When we fly someone out of Wetzel County Hospital, it's a matter of life and death. With heart patients, the longer you wait, the more heart damage you will have."

Knight also pointed out that WCH had 300 trauma patients this year and they transported out 465 patients, not all by helicopter. She remarked not all of those transported out were critical care patients, but there is a "golden hour" of getting a critical care person to a trauma or cardiac hospital. Knight discussed how cardiologists in other hospitals are waiting an hour for a patient to arrive when transported out of Wetzel County Hospital.

"They are literally in the heart catheterization lab waiting on the patient."

Couch added that WCH soon will have a first-class emergency room when the construction is finished on the expansion. He stated that WCH is currently doing approximately 10 to 15 emergency flights out now per month. "Sending a patient out of WCH all depends on their need," said Couch.

Arthurs stated that if Air EVAC is approved to be in the area, they will have an open house to answer questions, give a presentation to the public, and let them see and hear the Air EVAC helicopter take off and land. Mason stressed that a public hearing needs to be held. Couch suggested the use of the hospital's new conference room and letting the public meet the Air EVAC team, see the helicopter, and be informed of the benefit this could be to the community. No date was set during the meeting.