Denise Waye, Author at AirCARE1

About Denise Waye

Denise Waye is the Founder and President of AirCARE1. Her career as a critical care registered nurse started in 1994 revealing her many years of experience in the field. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from the University of New Mexico and has worked in a variety of critical care patient settings including ICU, CCU, and the emergency department. Shortly after becoming a flight nurse with another provider, Denise founded AirCARE1 in 2004 on the premise of providing unmatched patient care with a holistic approach along with outstanding customer service.

Can You Fly After a Concussion?
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Can You Fly After a Concussion?

Ambulance Flight, Health

Can You Fly After a Concussion?

By Denise Waye|2025-10-01T17:15:08+00:00August 29th, 2025|Categories: Ambulance Flight, Health|

Key Takeaways: Flying after a concussion is possible, but consulting with a doctor to assess your symptoms and risk factors is crucial for your safety. Air travel can worsen concussion symptoms like headaches and dizziness, so taking precautions like staying hydrated and minimizing stimuli is essential. Consider a medical escort for support and monitoring during your flight to ensure a safe and comfortable journey after a concussion. Flying with a concussion may be possible, but it's wise to weigh the risks carefully. A pre-travel consultation with your doctor can determine [...]

Providing Care for Hospice Patients
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Providing Care for Hospice Patients

Holistic Care, Nursing

Providing Care for Hospice Patients

By Denise Waye|2025-10-01T17:17:53+00:00June 3rd, 2025|Categories: Holistic Care, Nursing|

Key Takeaways: Caring for hospice patients requires prioritizing their comfort and wishes, focusing on quality of life during their end-of-life journey. Hospice care differs from typical medical care by being family-centered, involving loved ones in decision-making and care plans. Air ambulance services can facilitate long-range transports for hospice patients, fulfilling their wishes to spend their final days in a specific location. Caring for and assisting hospice patients during their end-of-life medical journey is a challenging yet fulfilling job. Amongst many things, ultimately it is important to support hospice patients by [...]

Transporting Patients With Mental Health & Behavioral Disorders
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Transporting Patients With Mental Health & Behavioral Disorders

Patient Transport

Transporting Patients With Mental Health & Behavioral Disorders

By Denise Waye|2025-10-01T17:21:27+00:00May 25th, 2025|Categories: Patient Transport|

Key Takeaways: Transporting patients with mental health disorders requires specialized care, understanding, and a tailored treatment plan to ensure their safety and comfort. Air ambulance services provide a safe and controlled environment for these patients, offering medical care and minimizing potential disruptions during transport. AirCARE1 prioritizes holistic care, empathy, and collaboration with facilities and families to support patients on their journey to recovery and healing. Anyone, and everyone, can experience difficulties with mental health. During these turbulent times of the 2020-2021 pandemic mental health diagnosis has vastly increased, suicide rates [...]

The Most Common Reasons for Long-Range Medical Patient Transports
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The Most Common Reasons for Long-Range Medical Patient Transports

Medical Transportation, Patient Transport

The Most Common Reasons for Long-Range Medical Patient Transports

By Denise Waye|2026-02-18T18:12:08+00:00May 24th, 2025|Categories: Medical Transportation, Patient Transport|

Key Takeaways: Long-range air medical transport is often necessary when patients become critically ill or injured while traveling and need to return home for treatment. Patients requiring specialized medical care unavailable at their current facility may need air ambulance transport to a more appropriate hospital. Air ambulances provide a safe and comfortable way to transport premature babies, hospice patients, and those with mental health conditions over long distances. A patient transport is the process of moving a patient to and from one location to another often involving hospitals, treatment facilities, [...]

Everything You Need to Know About Air Ambulance Insurance
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Everything You Need to Know About Air Ambulance Insurance

Health Insurance

Everything You Need to Know About Air Ambulance Insurance

By Denise Waye|2026-02-18T18:00:23+00:00May 15th, 2025|Categories: Health Insurance|

Key Takeaways: Air ambulance costs can range from $12,000 to over $100,000, making it crucial to understand your insurance coverage and potential out-of-pocket expenses. While some insurance plans cover air ambulance transport for various medical needs, many have specific requirements or may only approve flights for certain emergencies. When evaluating air ambulance insurance, consider deductibles, geographic coverage (including international flights), and whether the provider is accredited by reputable organizations. When evaluating insurance for services that require an air ambulance, a customer should consider every insurance plan's deductibles, whether or not [...]

Safe Medical Air Travel for Patients: Why AirCARE1 Sets the Standard in Air Ambulance Care
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Safe Medical Air Travel for Patients: Why AirCARE1 Sets the Standard in Air Ambulance Care

Ambulance Flight, Medical Flight, Medical Transportation

Safe Medical Air Travel for Patients: Why AirCARE1 Sets the Standard in Air Ambulance Care

By Denise Waye|2026-02-18T18:30:00+00:00May 14th, 2025|Categories: Ambulance Flight, Medical Flight, Medical Transportation|

Key Takeaways: AirCARE1 prioritizes patient safety through rigorous protocols, FAA-approved systems, and a 21-year accident-free record, making air medical transport a safe and reliable option. Experienced pilots, certified medical teams, and meticulously maintained Learjet 60 aircraft ensure ICU-level care and a smooth, secure journey for patients. AirCARE1's commitment to in-house maintenance, FAA-recognized safety programs, and continuous improvement sets a high standard for safety in air ambulance services. At AirCARE1, safety is our highest priority—we operate under rigorous protocols, utilize FAA-approved safety systems, and maintain a 21-year accident-free record to [...]

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Transports
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Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Transports

Patient Transport

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Transports

By Denise Waye|2025-10-01T17:28:41+00:00May 13th, 2025|Categories: Patient Transport|

Key Takeaways: ECMO transports are highly complex and require a specialized, certified ECMO team to safely move patients with severe heart or lung illnesses. Successful ECMO transports demand meticulous planning, risk mitigation, and constant monitoring due to the delicate nature of the ECMO circuit and the patient's condition. A dedicated air ambulance provider should have the same high-quality equipment and expertise as a medical facility to ensure seamless and safe ECMO transport. Patients who have been placed on ECMO have a severe and life-threatening illness that stops their heart or [...]

Am I Safe to Fly?
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Am I Safe to Fly?

Travel

Am I Safe to Fly?

By Denise Waye|2025-10-01T17:31:18+00:00March 31st, 2025|Categories: Travel|

Key Takeaways: Flying can exacerbate certain health conditions due to changes in altitude, cabin pressure, dry air, confined spaces, and prolonged periods of inactivity. Individuals with recent surgeries, cardiovascular or respiratory complications, neurological conditions, or advanced pregnancies should consult their doctor before flying. Medical air transport offers a safe alternative for those with health concerns, providing specialized care and equipment to manage potential risks during flight. Evaluating your health before a flight is essential for comfort and safety. An aircraft cabin's conditions and long periods of inactivity can exacerbate [...]

5 Most Common Uses of an Air Ambulance
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5 Most Common Uses of an Air Ambulance

Ambulance Flight, Medical Flight, Medical Transportation

5 Most Common Uses of an Air Ambulance

By Denise Waye|2025-10-01T17:34:43+00:00March 14th, 2025|Categories: Ambulance Flight, Medical Flight, Medical Transportation|

Key Takeaways: Air ambulances provide safe and efficient long-distance medical transport for patients who need intensive care during travel. Common uses include returning travelers injured abroad, accessing specialized medical care in another state or country, and enabling seniors to visit family. Air ambulances can accommodate patients with special weight issues or other medical needs that make commercial travel unsafe or uncomfortable. An air ambulance is a fixed-wing aircraft (airplane) that provides full-service intensive care to onboard patients. In general, an air ambulance is a perfect choice when a patient [...]

Transferring Hospitals
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Transferring Hospitals

Ambulance Flight, Medical Transportation

Transferring Hospitals

By Denise Waye|2025-10-01T17:36:21+00:00March 6th, 2025|Categories: Ambulance Flight, Medical Transportation|

Key Takeaways: Air ambulance hospital transfers offer a safe and efficient way to relocate patients for specialized care, especially over long distances. Compared to ground transport, air ambulances provide speed, specialized in-flight medical care, and greater comfort during hospital transfers. A reputable air ambulance service ensures a smooth transfer process through careful evaluation, transparent pricing, and comprehensive coordination. Air ambulance hospital transfer services transport individuals from one facility to another quickly and safely, providing expert medical care along the way. Air ambulance transfers are among the safest forms of [...]