Extraction training

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

The Ann Arbor area is served by Huron Valley Ambulances (HVA) a publicly supported system providing care to a population of approximately 400,000. HVA employs 120 paramedics/EMT's, has 28 ambulances and receives approximately 30,000 calls annually. On-line medical control is provided by residents working in the emergency departments at University of Michigan and St. Joseph Mercy hospitals. HVA has an active continuing education program and is involved in pre hospital care research projects conducted jointly by the program faculty and residents. The area is also served by helicopter programs based at the University of Michigan and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital which transport a total of approximately 1600 patients annually.

	Tools of the trade (extraction training)

Residents receive longitudinal training in EMS. Starting as interns they participate in an extraction training workshop, do ride-alongs with HVA paramedic units and receive training in pre-hospital communication. As of the 2nd year they start serving as flight physicians with Survival Flight during their emergency department rotations and provide medical care at mass gatherings such as University of Michigan football games or at the Michigan Motor Speedway.

	View from the medical station at Michigan Stadium

In years 2-4 residents also develop experience in the administrative aspects of EMS, including participating in run reviews for HVA, providing continuing medical education for pre-hospital providers, attending regional disaster and haz/mat planning meeting, and many other opportunities which can be tailored to residents' specific interests.

University of Michigan's Survival Flight program began in 1983 and has become integral to the medical center's mission as a regional referral center. The program operates two helicopters 16 hours a day and one for the remaining eight hours, with an annual volume of over 1,200 transports. About 85% of these flights are inter-emergency department transports and about 10% are scene runs. The program has maintained an outstanding record since its inception and was recently recognized as the top program in the country.

The flight crew in action

Residents participate in the program during the final three years of their training, serving regular shifts as part of a nurse/physician team. Although participation in the program is considered an important component of a residents's education, flying is not required.

Gearing up to take off