From Sky to Scalpel in Seconds

When trauma patients arrive via Flight for Life Colorado—the nation’s first hospital-based air ambulance program—they bypass the traditional ER and are brought directly to the Trauma 10 Room, an advanced trauma-operating suite located adjacent to the helipad. A dedicated high-speed elevator gets patients from rooftop to operating room in just seconds. No hallways. No handoffs. No delays.

“We don’t waste time. If they need surgery, they get it right here,” Dr. Blackwood explains.

Inside the Trauma 10 Room

The T10 Room is a first-of-its-kind facility—essentially an OR disguised as a trauma bay. It’s stocked with everything needed for rapid, definitive care:

  • Fully integrated surgical and anesthesia systems
  • Pneumatic tubes and dumbwaiters for rapid delivery of blood and medications
  • Real-time imaging and video technology
  • A scalable design to accommodate multi-specialty teams

A Trauma Team in Sync

When a T10 alert is activated, it mobilizes a synchronized team of over 15 professionals—including trauma surgeons, anesthesiologists, ED physicians, nurses, radiologists, respiratory therapists, and blood bank techs. This elite team is trained to respond with speed and precision, working shoulder to shoulder as soon as the patient is wheeled through the door.

“The room isn’t just high-tech—it’s high-functioning,” Dr. Blackwood notes. “It’s about people, preparation, and purpose.”

Better Outcomes, Faster Interventions

Thanks to this model, the team is delivering life-saving hemorrhage control up to 40% faster than national benchmarks. Even patients arriving in traumatic cardiac arrest have seen improved survival rates—proving that every second, and every system, truly counts.

Why It Matters

This isn’t just a story about technology—it’s a story about leadership, preparation, and teamwork. Dr. Blackwood’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of trauma care reflects the values we strive for across every SAMGI program: innovation, collaboration, and patient-centered excellence.

A Word of Appreciation

To Dr. Blackwood and the trauma team at St. Anthony Hospital: thank you for embodying the very best of what trauma care can be. Your work inspires all of us—across service lines, specialties, and states—to raise the bar and be ready when it matters most.