MINOT, ND (KXNET) — Since 1992, Trinity Health has been providing hospital-to-hospital transfers for high-risk patients, as well as fixed-wing coverage to bring medical care throughout western North Dakota for patients in extreme emergencies. The air ambulance, which has the capabilities to get patients to Trinity Health in Minot, is home to a regional trauma center and has the capabilities to reach level 1 hospital facilities in larger cities and throughout the country. The Trinity Health First Response Air Unit is one of the only air units in Western North Dakota within a 150-mile radius that would be unreachable by ground transportation, however, they're not only able to provide care within hours but within minutes. Unit Manager of the First Response Air Ambulance, Robert Klink, says that the air ambulance is able to provide coverage past North Dakota for patients in critical conditions. "We can fly from out of here to other areas within the state, higher levels of care go to the cities, things like that, but also we transport plenty of patients throughout Montana as well. So we'll pick up patients in Montana," Klink. Flight nurse Haley Swain says that especially during the winter, making sure patients are properly taken care of is important. She also says the air ambulance is able to reach places traditional ambulances may not be able to get to. Minot’s Delta Vacations celebrating 25th anniversary with 25 original employees "Be more cognizant of our patient, making our patient comfortable in the cold temperatures, you know, lots of warm blankets, have to be cognizant if we are on IV medications so our tubing doesn't freeze, like oilfields, for example, you can't always get in there by vehicle but we do have the capabilities with the helicopter to land on site," said Swain. However, Klink says that heading into the new year, the air ambulance is continuing to evolve with modern medicine as well as adopting equipment that could save lives in the field. "We always try to stay at the cutting edge of evidence-based practices first and foremost so we're always going to classes, we're honing our skills in the hospital and out of the hospital so we can best care for our patients, but as new equipment comes out, we start going after it so most notably we've gone to a video laryngoscope, which is basically a camera which would make it easier to secure a airway in a patient," said Klink. Klink says with the constant changes in the medical industry, he hopes that in the next couple of years, the Air Response Unit will become even more efficient. "We work with our medical director and our hospital staff to make sure that we're continuing on with the best possible care. With advances in medicine, who knows where we'll be in a couple of years," said Klink. As of right now, there are currently 16 members who make up the aircrew, but they're always looking for more. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW