Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical service provider, announced that UnityPoint Health – Des Moines has selected the Air Methods Ascend critical care online education program for their LifeFlight crew members.

Established in 1979, UnityPoint Health – Des Moines LifeFlight has been providing quality, rapid air transport for critically ill and injured patients from emergency scenes and between hospitals. It was the first air ambulance service in central Iowa, and since then, has continued to grow to provide the most experienced and specialized care available for the communities they serve.

LifeFlight is a part of UnityPoint Health, the nation’s fifth largest non-denominational health system with a network of hospitals, clinics, and home care services serving nearly eight million patients annually across Iowa, western Illinois, and southern Wisconsin.

“We are excited to integrate Air Methods Ascend’s online training program into our crew’s continuing education plan,” said LifeFlight Manager Michael Zweigart. “Our goal is to equip our team with the most advanced, high-quality education needed to provide the best possible care to our patients.”

Air Methods Ascend’s in-person and online education programs provide access to world-class educators, state-of-the-art tools, and cutting-edge technologies to help pre-hospital and critical care clinicians build their knowledge, enabling them to operate at the top of their licensure and fulfill continuing education requirements. Education programs include advanced manikin-based simulation and virtual reality training that mirror real-world patient care scenarios, building life-saving skills and confidence.

Recently, Air Methods Ascend also added EMS Review to its offerings of innovative online education programs for emergency medical responders seeking to advance their training, help improve emergent patient outcomes, and meet their continuing education needs. Courses meet certification requirements for the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN), Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE), and International Board of Specialty Certifications (IBSC).

“We are excited to offer our online training program to the team at LifeFlight,” said Dr. Stephanie Queen, Air Methods Senior Vice President of Clinical Services. “The program will provide the crew with the latest clinical techniques and practices to continue to provide the best possible care for their patients.”