Expectant mothers with high-risk pregnancies now have improved access to a higher level of care thanks to Native Air and LifeGuard.
The Roswell-based emergency air medical provider can now carry a TOCO monitor for continuous in-air fetal monitoring, and their sister bases in Artesia and Carlsbad are also trained to use the device on their helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
Native Air and LifeGuard join a handful of programs within Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical service provider, to carry this device. Air Methods plans to expand the use of TOCO monitors to other community-based programs throughout the year.
A tocodynamometer, commonly known as a TOCO monitor, provides clinicians with valuable information about uterine activity, including the frequency, intensity, and length of contractions during labor. It is a non-invasive sensor placed on the abdomen to help clinicians gain insight into the well-being of both the mother and baby and respond with any critical care needed.
“The TOCO monitor allows us to monitor a baby’s heart rate and condition, as well as the frequency and length of the mother’s contractions, continuously throughout the transport,” said Air Methods Regional Clinical Director Ronnie Rivas-Savell. “This gives us the opportunity to see real time changes in both the baby and mother and treat them immediately, which is particularly important for women with high-risk pregnancies.”
Due to limited OB resources in New Mexico, women with high-risk pregnancies, including those with twins, pre-eclampsia, premature membrane rupture, pregnancy-induced hypertension, or pregnant patients suffering trauma from car accident, falls, or other incidents are often flown to Albuquerque or to Lubbock, TX for specialized care.
With the addition of the TOCO monitor, more patients will be able to be transported by air in order to receive this medical attention as this device will be used on all pregnant patients transported after 20 weeks of gestation.
Native Air and LifeGuard have been serving the Energy Basin for over 20 years. Their helicopters and fixed-wing airplanes function as flying ICUs, carrying the equipment and medications needed to save lives in emergency situations.
Their industry-leading flight nurses and paramedics are trained to provide critical care to patients suffering from trauma due to accidents, cardiac and stroke events, high-risk obstetric emergencies, and more.
“Air Methods is committed to providing air medical services to all members of the communities it serves and is in-network with most major health insurance providers across the country for emergency air medical services,” read a statement from Air Methods.
“Additionally, their patient advocates work with all patients, regardless of insurance, to ensure affordability while making pre-paid air medical membership unnecessary.”
