'We're Still Here.' Geisinger Life Flight Crews See Sharp Decrease in Calls Since COVID-19 Outbreak

Despite a steep decline in travel due to stay-at-home orders, traffic is still flowing in and out of University Park Airport.

Geisinger Life Flight crews continue to provide life-saving care amid the coronavirus pandemic from its base at the airport, located in Benner Township. But with a 50% decrease in calls since Pennsylvania saw its first coronavirus case, Geisinger and Mount Nittany Medical Center EMS want to remind residents that they are still operating 24-hours a day.

“We don’t want patients sitting at home with chest pain, shortness of breath, stroke-type symptoms,” Robin de Koning, flight nurse and team coordinator, said. “We want them to seek care.”

Prior to the coronavirus, Geisinger Life Flight crews responded to an average of 50-60 calls per month. Since the outbreak, Geisinger crews said those numbers have declined significantly. The lack of calls is attributed in part to many people staying home — resulting in fewer roadway accidents. But de Koning also thinks patients have been neglecting to call for medical help in the event of an emergency due to fear.

“I think they’re afraid that they’re going to get infected by being in an ambulance, being in a helicopter, in the emergency department,” de Koning said, adding that all medical services and staff members are taking extra measures to sanitize equipment and facilities. “I think they also continue to hear that they don’t want hospitals backlogged, but if they’re sick, they need to get care.”

To ensure the health and safety of staff and patients, both Geisinger and Mount Nittany service staff members are equipped with personal protective equipment — gloves, goggles and N95 masks — while responding to a call.

When responding to a call, crew members take the patient’s temperature and equip them with a mask. After transporting a patient to a hospital, crews sanitize all equipment.

Pilots, drivers and flight nurses are also screened each day before starting work.

“We’re still here. We provide the same service that we did before the COVID hit,” de Koning said. “Don’t be afraid to call.”

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