The events that occur during the first hour after a health tragedy significantly impact survival. This period is referred to as the “golden hour.” The golden hour is the time when MeritCare LifeFlight plays its most vital role. MeritCare LifeFlight is MeritCare Medical Center's sophisticated "flying intensive care unit." It is dedicated to advanced treatment and transportation.
For those who suffer from catastrophic health events—whether from medical crises such as heart attack, injuries from automobile crashes or farm accidents, or the event of being born too soon—time is of the essence. Although many times patients can be cared for in their local hospital, they sometimes need to be transferred to a facility capable of providing a higher level of care. During this time, rapid transportation, with intensive care enroute, is crucial.
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MeritCare LifeFlight is an air ambulance service based at MeritCare Medical Center, an American College of Surgeons Verified Level II trauma center in Fargo, N.D. The LifeFlight helicopter is capable of responding to emergencies within a 200-mile radius of Fargo-Moorhead. The fixed wing aircraft is available to provide national and international transportation to critical care patients. These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for critically ill or injured patients who require acute care and/or the fastest possible transportation.