A new Intermountain Health Flight & Ambulance Services base has opened at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital to improve patient care and reduce response times, according to a September 9 statement.
The new facility centralizes crews, equipment, maintenance, and support spaces near the hospital's helipad and Emergency Department, allowing for faster access to aircraft and supplies.
The centralized base is expected to reduce medical helicopter lift times and allow crews to reach patients approximately five to 10 minutes sooner. Rex Jacobsen, operations manager for Intermountain Health Flight & Ambulance Services in southern Utah, stated that the setup helps teams get to patients and provide necessary care faster, noting that even a few minutes can change a patient outcome.
Previously, flight and ambulance teams operated from several locations across the Intermountain St. George Hospital campus with supplies distributed across different spaces. The new location aims to remove barriers by providing pilots, mechanics, and clinical teams with easier access to required support and aircraft.
The base supports 911 responses and interfacility transfers originating within roughly 150 miles of St. George. Clinical teams at the facility provide care for pediatric, adult, neonatal, and high-risk obstetric patients.
The new space includes a kitchen, day room, and shared team area to allow caregivers to rest and recover between calls. The proximity to the Emergency Department is intended to support communication and continuity of care among ambulance, flight, and other hospital teams.
