10th anniversary of LIFE STAR celebrated at Backus, but its future is in doubt
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On Aug. 29, 17-year-old Arthur Moran of Preston was brought to the Edward and Mary Lord Emergency Care and Trauma Center with life-threatening injuries from an ATV accident.
His liver was severed in half and he had many other injuries, so he was flown by LIFE STAR from Backus Hospital to Hartford Hospital, where he was on life support in the intensive care unit for a month.
Now, while Hartford Hospital's LIFE STAR program is celebrating its 10th anniversary at Backus, Arthur is back home and doing amazingly well. But the future of the LIFE STAR program is less certain because of proposed budget cuts by Governor M. Jodi Rell.
"I am alarmed that a budget cut is being contemplated that could result in eliminating the LIFE STAR helicopter at Backus Hospital," said Arthur's mother, Debra Moran, RN, of the Backus Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center.
"This disturbs me as a resident, as a nurse - but foremost as a mom whose son's life was saved because of LIFE STAR."
Ms. Moran is not alone. The community is speaking out against the proposed cuts. As LIFE STAR helicopter flew off the helipad for another potentially life-saving mission, more than 100 people gathered April 4 to celebrate the helicopter's 10th anniversary at Backus - and advocate for its future.
"How's that for a show and tell," said Backus Director of Pastoral Care Sister Rita Johnson, whose invocation was interrupted by the helicopter's takeoff to transport a cardiac patient.
The event, held in the hangar outside the Emergency Department, included speeches, a LIFE STAR cake-cutting, a cookout and a video featuring local survivors and LIFE STAR staff.
Gov. Rell has proposed eliminating the $1.39-million subsidy the state provides to Hartford Hospital to operate the $7-million-a-year program, which includes a helicopter at Backus and one at Hartford Hospital. Nearly 500 of LIFE STAR's 1,200 annual patient transports originate from Backus.
The program received a glimmer of hope on April 2, when the Appropriations Committee released its proposed biennial budget for 2010 and 2011, which restored funding for LIFE STAR. But this may change as legislative committees continue to stem the state's budget deficit, estimated at more than $8 million over two years.
"I know you have some more work to do," said Backus President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas P. Pipicelli, addressing legislators who attended the event. "But I want to thank our eastern Connecticut delegation for their support. It's going to be a hard job ... but I don't know how you put a value on a life."
Legislators who attended the event and pledged their support included Kevin Ryan, Betsy Ritter, Tom Reynolds, Andrea Stillman, Linda Orange, Melissa Olson, and Edith Prague.
"The future of LIFE STAR is now up to the governor," Sen. Prague said, referring to the fact that the Democratic budget has restored LIFE STAR funding. Sen. Prague, along with other legislators on hand, urged the audience to continue to send e-mails and letters to the governor's office supporting LIFE STAR.
Kenneth Robinson, MD, LIFE STAR Medical Director and Program Director at Hartford Hospital, explained that in its 24 years of existence, the helicopter has landed in every Connecticut town and at every hospital.
"This loss in state funding would most likely result in a decrease in services and most likely a decrease in services for the citizens of southeastern Connecticut," he said.
Rep. Orange, also a Backus Corporator, joined many at the event in thanking LIFE STAR staff for their life saving efforts. She also praised all of the EMS personnel in the region for all they do, every day.
"Just knowing LIFE STAR is available is comforting," added Sen. Stillman.
Rep. Ritter cautioned that this is not the first time that LIFE STAR cuts have been proposed, so she urged everyone to fight a proposal that seems to keep resurfacing.
"Today we mark both a milestone and a crossroads," said Backus Vice President for Corporate Communications Keith Fontaine. "But most importantly, perhaps, we are thankful today for the lives that have been saved, and the heroic efforts of the specially trained LIFE STAR crew who maneuver this airborne ambulance with such care and skill."
"I know if it hadn't been for the fast assessment and decision to transport my son by medical helicopter, he would not be here today," Ms. Moran said. "LIFE STAR saves lives. Lives like my son's."
Thank you to all EMS personnel
May is National Trauma Month and also includes National Emergency Medical Services Week May 17-23. Please join us in thanking EMS personnel from throughout the region who are on the front lines, providing lifesaving services every day. This includes the Backus Emergency Department, ambulance companies, fire departments, police and others who are dedicated to the patients we serve.