Interfacility Requests
Please be aware of the following: All hospital to hospital transfers require physician to physician communication. Once that occurs, other personnel may act on the physician's behalf in contacting MedLink AIR, and should have the name of the receiving physician who has agreed to accept the patient. If a receiving physician has not been identified, we will assist you in making a referral to an appropriate specialist. When requesting MedLink AIR at
1-800-527-1200, please be prepared to provide:
- The names of the referring physician, hospital or agency
- A phone number if a call-back is necessary for additional information
- The patient's name, age, weight and date of birth
- A description of the patient's illness or injury, vital signs, medications and reasons for air transport
- A copy of the patient's medical record, X-rays, EKG, labs and other diagnostic test results ready to accompany patient
- Confirmation that patient/family consent has been discussed and signed
Please inform the MedLink AIR communications specialist if any specialized equipment or medications will be needed by the flight team. Also, the communications specialist can connect you with the Gundersen Lutheran emergency medicine physician if you have questions regarding patient management or transfer criteria prior to the team's dispatch or their arrival to your location.
Pre-Hospital/Scene Requests
MedLink AIR will respond to pre-hospital/scene requests when:
- Local agencies do not have the capabilities required for advanced life support/emergency patient care.
- The aircraft's response time will not significantly delay the patient's access to care.
Pre-hospital requests may be made by:
- Physicians
- Nurses
- EMS, fire or law enforcement officials at the scene
We request, however, that local hospital emergency departments be alerted and consulted upon contacting MedLink AIR. The MedLink AIR system is designed to work with local physicians and hospitals, and within their already-established emergency medical system, for optimal patient care. You may request that the flight team be put on standby as you coordinate local emergency efforts. When requesting MedLink AIR, please be prepared to provide:
- Your name and the name of the EMS agency
- Your phone number
- The location and map or GPS coordinates, if possible
- The nature of the emergency and known medical information
- The number of patients
- The on-scene radio frequency and unit number which will coordinate the landing site
- The landing site location, landmarks and location of hazards
- The name of the local hospital contacted
When the flight team is near the scene, they will contact units at the location to coordinate landing and scene operations.