Client: Service Development
Date: June 08, 2012 ​

Starting today, patients suffering from major trauma in the Interior will receive paramedic care faster as the BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) Autolaunch program takes effect.

Through the simultaneous dispatch of a ground ambulance and a critical care paramedic crew via helicopter to accident scenes, Autolaunch provides rapid transport and critical care paramedics for patients who require definitive care at a designated trauma hospital. Activating the helicopter and critical care paramedic teams as an initial response reduces the time it takes to get patients to advanced trauma care.

“The Autolaunch program enables BCAS emergency medical dispatchers to simultaneously send both an air and ground ambulance to major incidents where time is a critical factor,” said Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger.

“This kind of innovation uses our health care resources in the most effective way possible to achieve the best possible emergency medical care for victims of major trauma in the Interior,” said Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake.

Based on information provided by 911 callers, BCAS dispatchers identify calls that indicate that the patient would likely benefit from an Autolaunch response. A dedicated air ambulance helicopter with a team of critical care paramedics and a ground ambulance are dispatched immediately. The responding ground ambulance is advised an Autolaunch has been initiated and is given the aircraft’s estimated time of arrival. If the ground crew arrives on scene and feels that the patient does not require air transport to a Trauma hospital, the paramedics can cancel the incoming critical care paramedic team who then returns to the helicopter base to await their next call.

For More Information
News Release: Victims of Major Trauma Receive Faster Paramedic Care