Critical Care Academy

LifeFlight Critical Care Academy

Several years ago LifeFlight of Maine created a “virtual” Critical Care Academy for both LifeFlight staff and external clinicians. The Academy is run in either intensive modules across several weeks or with multiple days a week across three months. The goal of the program is to help transform the practice of our critical care workforce with new skills improving care in our hospitals, for our colleague EMS agencies, and creating a pipeline of highly qualified clinical staff who are fully prepared for flight duty with LifeFlight or for appointment to hospital ICUs or emergency rooms.

The sessions focus on situational assessment, procedural skills, critical thinking, and developing a team approach. The subject matter covered includes airway and ventilation management, cardiac and hemodynamic management including medications, laboratory, ultrasound, and radiology assessment and interpretation, management of neuro and metabolic emergencies, assessment and care of children, and specific skills in airways, trauma, cardiac care, and ultrasound.

The Critical Care Academy would not be possible without the collaboration of partners. Recent partners include Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, Central Maine Medical Center, Maine Medical Center, Mid Coast Hospital, Augusta Fire Department, Gorham Public Safety, Brunswick Fire Department, Rockland Fire Department, Central Lincoln County EMS, and Northern Maine Community College.

The candidates going on to LifeFlight then spend months in the hospital critical units and in high-fidelity simulation including adults, children, high-risk obstetrics, neonates, and specialized cardiac transport.

For more information, please contact Tom Gutow, Senior Clinical Educator, at tgutow@lifeflightmaine.org.