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BARSTOW, Calif. – A new base for Mercy Air, medical transport for critically ill or injured patients may mean the difference between life or death for many in the High Desert region.

Mercy Air, a division of Air Methods, recently opened Mercy Air 66 base, located at 555 S. 7th Street in the City of Barstow. This new base will offer services to the Barstow Community, based at the former Barstow Community Hospital. Quicker response times for those in need of immediate trauma care, will allow for a better overall outcome for patients. The highly-trained medical teams are in flight with the patients and provide life-saving interventions including; trauma care after an accident or even, clot-busting medications for stroke patients which improves outcomes.

Without a nearby trauma center, High Desert residents depend on air ambulances for transport to trauma centers including Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Loma Linda University Hospital, Antelope Valley Hospital, or even under some circumstances, University Medical Center of Southern Nevada. “Having Mercy Air located at the former hospital across the street from the current hospital facility will be an asset to emergency care for our community members. There are times when we need to stabilize a patient at Barstow Community Hospital and transfer them to a higher level of care. In these life-saving situations, minutes count. Having Mercy Air’s emergency air ambulance basically on site could mean the difference between life and death,” said Leo Eusebio, Emergency Department Director at Barstow Community Hospital.

With the assistance of the local community, including hospital leaders, the growing need of air medical service/transport was brought to the attention of the Mercy Air Team leading to

the new base.“We strive to serve the community with the highest level of patient care possible,” stated Barstow Fire Chief Jamie Williams. “I believe this community-based helicopter program is a critical service that will provide our citizens with the best opportunity to reach a trauma center within the critical golden hour to help reduce response times during life-threatening emergencies.”

Services will be offered 365 days a year, 24 hours a day by 14 crew members, including pilots, flight nurses, flight paramedics, and mechanics. Being that the location is across from Barstow Community Hospital, there will be quick and convenient access to those who were taken to BCH to be stabilized in order to be transported to a trauma center for a higher level of care or those who have a Barstow-area ( or surrounding ) medical emergency.

Its location immediately across from the current Barstow Hospital will ensure patients have quick access to the full medical services available after initial transport.