Who determines where the patient is flown?

LifeFlight Eagle transports patients to the closest appropriate hospital that can provide the services needed.
For interfacility (hospital-to-hospital) transports, the referring hospital’s physician will make arrangements with the receiving hospital and determine the patient’s final destination. Whenever possible, physicians consult with the patient or the patient’s family as these decisions are being made.

For scene flights, LifeFlight Eagle personnel evaluate a patient’s condition and determine the destination based on the closest appropriate facility. Whenever possible, our personnel will consult with the patient or the patient’s family as these decisions are being made, taking in to account existing physician or specialist relationships at appropriate receiving hospitals. LifeFlight Eagle regularly transports patients to multiple hospitals in Kansas City, as well as Columbia, Springfield and other cities as needed.