Geisinger implements software to expedite LifeFlight maintenance
SUBMITTED PHOTO / GEISINGER - Life Flight maintenance team members inspecting one of program's medical helicopters at the maintenance hangar on the Geisinger Medical Center campus in Danville.
Sentinel Staff Reports
DANVILLE, Montour County – One of the two usual air medical services that service Shenandoah is enhancing their maintenance procedures with cutting edge software.
Geisinger Life Flight, which has a helicopter stationed in Schuylkill County, is now using WinAir Version 7, which features digital signature functionality, the company said. Using digital signatures provides mechanics and pilots with the ability to electronically sign-off on maintenance tasks and job completion, Geisinger said in a media release.
Previously, maintenance work was logged on digital task cards which needed to be printed, signed, and re-uploaded. With digital signatures, maintenance work signoffs are done electronically.
“Investing in and using innovative technology is part of the natural evolution of who we are as an organization,” said Jeff Gazey, Geisinger Life Flight director of aviation maintenance. “The journey to having digital signatures took more than a year and included updating policies and procedures, working closely with IT staff and securing government regulatory approvals. We worked step-by-step with WinAir as the product was developed and are thrilled to have it in place and up and running.”
Geisinger has used some form of WinAir software since 2012, and worked closely with its developer to upgrade to Version 7. The new version includes digital signatures that create a unique digital record in WinAir, which securely associates the approval with the user. When maintenance work is completed, mechanics must review the work and accredit it by adding their signatures to the task card, followed by an assessment and approval by an inspector. This process safeguards against the entry of inaccurate data and increases safety, as any follow-up modifications made to the task or check will invalidate the authentication and require re-authentication.
“Digital signatures will assist Geisinger’s maintenance team tremendously by accelerating and streamlining maintenance work steps, while simultaneously ensuring data integrity,” said Kyle Vergeer, WinAir managing director. “We are thrilled that Geisinger has decided to use this feature for their fleet maintenance program and are pleased to learn that the Department of Health and the FAA have granted them approval. We foresee that digital signatures will be a significant benefit to the entire operation at Geisinger Life Flight.”
“Digital signatures make our maintenance processes more efficient and get our aircraft back into service faster so we’re ready to care for people in need,” said Jerry Splitt, Geisinger Life Flight program director. “Implementing digital signatures will save more than 2,200 hours of labor and nearly $10,000 in labor costs and office supplies annually. We can take these savings and reinvest them into our program to continue providing exceptional care to our patients in central and northeastern Pennsylvania.”
Life Flight maintenance operations occur at the program’s hangar in Danville on the Geisinger Medical Center campus. This month, Life Flight 1 relocated from that hangar to a new base at Penn Valley Airport near Selinsgrove. The relocation allowed for more space at the GMC hangar to accommodate the program’s maintenance needs. Life Flight’s other bases include University Park Airport near State College, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport in Avoca, Williamsport Regional Airport in Montoursville, Minersville, and Jake Arner Airport in Lehighton.
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