By: Hollie Hojek
hhojek@kcautv.com
Here in Sioux City, the Mercy Medical Center helicopter safely takes off and lands multiple times per day, depending on the day. But, in light of the recent crash, we wanted to find out just how safe air travel really is.
"Safety is a non-negotiable," said Dr. Tom Benzoni, Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.
Dr. Benzoni says there's a very thorough thought-process that goes in to determining whether or not Mercy Air Care leaves the ground to transport a patient.
"You want to use the lowest level of transportation that is necessary to get the job done properly and done safely," said Benzoni.
Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City there's what's called a "three to fly policy." Which means a pilot and two medical professional will be on board, but all it takes is one person to say 'no.' And a lot of times, the decision to fly or not, comes down to weather.
"The pilot then will look at the weather here, look at the weather there, look at the weather in between and make a go or no go decision. They don't know anything about the patient, they don't know anything about the need, they know nothing else," said Benzoni.
Dr. Benzoni says when an ambulance turns on its lights and sirens for ground transportation, its accident rate actually increases four times as much as your average car on the highway. Which has medical professional across the country asking the question, which is the best method of transportation?
"There is a large safety issue that has to be looked at. And to ensure the method of transport your using is A, the most appropriate, and B, the safest. And B is non-negotiable," said Benzoni.
