LIFE STAR

LIFE STAR is a critical-care helicopter service that responds to, and provides air transport for, patients who require care at a tertiary care facility.

The LIFE STAR crew consists of a flight nurse, flight respiratory therapist, pilot, mechanic and communication specialist.

LIFE STAR Facts

• The LIFE STAR critical care air medical transport service began operation in 1985.
• LIFE STAR is available to all emergency/critical care patients within a 150-mile radius surrounding our bases. All tertiary care centers within this response area are serviced by LIFE STAR and approximately 1,200-1,400 patients are transported annually.
• LIFE STAR has relationships with tertiary care physicians from the EMS/Trauma Department at Hartford Hospital, as well as specialty physicians at receiving facilities. Consultation on patient management prior to and during transport is available to the flight crew.
• The LIFE STAR service operates two American American Eurocopter EC-145, 24 hours a day, seven days per week. One aircraft is based at Midstate Medical Center in Meriden, CT. The other is based at The William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, CT. The LIFE STAR service also operates one American American Eurocopter EC-135, also 24 hours a day, seven days per week and is based out of Westfield Barnes Airport in Westfield MA.
• Each LIFE STAR helicopter is identical in the composition of its crew and capabilities, and can transport two patients. LIFE STAR can travel at 155 miles per hour and is airborne within minutes of a request for service.

Acute Care Locations:

	Backus Hospital Backus Hospital includes a not-for-profit, 213-bed hospital in Norwich and numerous off-site locations, including several health centers and the Backus Outpatient Care Center.
	Hartford Hospital Hartford Hospital is an 867-bed Level 1 Trauma Center & regional referral center that provides high-quality care in all clinical disciplines. It is one of the largest teaching hospitals and tertiary care centers in New England.
	The Hospital of Central Connecticut The Hospital of Central Connecticut (THOCC) is a 414-bed, 32-bassinet, acute-care community teaching hospital with campuses in New Britain and Southington.
	MidState Medical Center MidState Medical Center is a 156-bed acute care hospital located in Meriden, Connecticut, with satellite offices in Cheshire, Wallingford and Southington.
	Windham Hospital Welcome to Windham Hospital, a 130-bed, not-for-profit acute care community hospital providing state-of-the-art comprehensive medical services, personalized attention and care.