SonoSite representatives joined Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) at Audley End House in Essex on the 25th June as the charity celebrated its 20th anniversary and unveiled its rebranded fleet – including the first public appearance of its recently purchased Augusta Westland AW169 helicopter – at an open day attended by 3,000 people.
The spacious new helicopter, one of two operated by EHAAT, offers virtually 360 degree patient access and is equipped with highly specialised and advanced life-saving equipment, including point-of-care ultrasound for management of cardiac arrest and advanced life support.
EHAAT is equipped with five FUJIFILM SonoSite iViz systems, which are an ideal size for use on the aircraft or at the scene of an emergency. Vanessa Wickens, UK Education Manager and Clinical Apps Lead for FUJIFILM SonoSite, said: “We work closely with EHAAT, helping to train its critical care paramedics in the use of point-of-care ultrasound. This allows them to take full advantage of the iViz systems carried on board the helicopters and rapid response vehicles, and to tailor patient management more accurately. After gaining experience in the use of ultrasound, several of the paramedics have now expressed an interest in working towards focused intensive care echo (FICE) accreditation. We look forward to continuing to work with them, and wish EHAAT every success in the future.”
