UC Health, Greater Cincinnati’s academic health system, is pleased to announce that our own Dr. William Hinckley, professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and an emergency medicine physician at UC Health, has been appointed to the Advisory Committee on Air Ambulance Quality and Patient Safety (AAQPS), which is a federal advisory committee that President Biden established under Title I (No Surprises Act) of Division BB of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA). This esteemed appointment, jointly established by Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of the Department of Transportation, marks a significant step in advancing air ambulance services nationwide.
“I look forward to this chance to make the US HEMS/HAA system maximally effective and safe, optimizing patient outcomes nationwide,” says Hinckley.
Hinckley’s term on the AAQPS will commence immediately and extend through August 22, 2025, subject to appointment procedures and periodic reviews of the Committee's functions. As a Health Care Provider appointee from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Dr. Hinckley will play a crucial role in shaping safety standards for air ambulance services.
AAQPS is tasked with advising the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of the Department of Transportation on establishing comprehensive standards for air ambulance quality, patient safety, and clinical capabilities. Key areas of focus for the Committee include:
- Defining qualifications and tiering of clinical capability levels for air ambulances.
- Developing patient safety and quality standards.
- Identifying strategies to enhance service reliability in adverse conditions, such as poor weather and nighttime operations.
- Evaluating the impact of various air ambulance vehicle types, services, technologies, and flight capabilities on patient safety.
- Establishing clinical triage criteria for air ambulances.
Dr. Hinckley’s involvement will include participation in up to four full-day virtual meetings of the main Committee, as well as selected meetings of two specialized subcommittees—Flight Safety and Clinical Standards—each of which will convene twice.
“Dr. Hinckley’s appointment to the Federal Advisory Committee on Air Ambulance Quality and Patient Safety recognizes his expertise and commitment to advancing critical care in the air medical field. He is widely known as a national thought leader in helicopter EMS, and his insight will undoubtedly contribute to improving patient outcomes and workforce safety,” says Greg Fermann, MD, Emergency Medicine Chair at UC Health.
Air Care and Mobile Care (ACMC), within UC Medical Center (UCMC) – the region’s only academic medical center and only verified Level I adult trauma center – delivers leading-edge care led by passionate providers driven by science. Our providers work closely together to deliver coordinated, evidence-based care – giving Cincinnati patients peace of mind in the event of an emergency.
Founded in 1984, the ACMC program at UC Health is at the forefront of emergency medical services, offering critical care directly to patients in need. Utilizing UCH’s three EC145 medical helicopters, exclusively operated by partner Metro Aviation Inc. and equipped with advanced medical technology, ACMC prioritizes high clinical availability with a specialized team of pilots, flight nurses, and flight physicians—an uncommon configuration in the U.S.
ACMC is equipped to handle various time-sensitive emergencies, including trauma and pediatric cases, with 12% of its flights dedicated to children. The program is notable for its use of cutting-edge equipment, such as video laryngoscopy for airway management and portable ultrasound devices for on-the-spot diagnostics—features that are rare in U.S. EMS systems.
Beyond the standard emergency capabilities, ACMC can perform unique procedures, such as a perimortem cesarean section in critical situations, and has access to life-saving blood products on every flight. This positions ACMC as a vital resource not just for UC Health, but for other health systems in the region as well.
With aspirations to lead globally in air care medicine, ACMC is also navigating potential changes brought about by the No Surprises Act, which may reshape EMS payment structures based on clinical capabilities.
In addition to air care, ACMC’s Mobile Care operates a Mobile Stroke Unit—one of only about twenty nationwide—equipped with CT scanning technology and telehealth capabilities, ensuring prompt and effective treatment, and two Mobile Intensive Care Units. This comprehensive approach allows ACMC to manage approximately 1,100 air patients, 144 mobile stroke unit patients, and over 950 Mobile intensive Care Unit patients primarily annually within a 60-mile radius.