subject: Elements Of A Successful Air Ambulance Medical Transport [print this page] "What do you do to make sure that the patients air ambulance flight goes smoothly?" That's a question I often get from patients and their families, so I thought I'd take the time to review a few of the key elements of a successful air medical transport at MedFlight911.
A key element of a successful air medical transport is choosing and preparing the proper aircraft
When you call us for a no-obligation transport quote the medical information you provide about the patient will help us begin to plan for the proper aircraft (or other form of medical transport). At MedFlight911 we take a customized, individualized approach to medical transport (not a one-size-fits-all approach), so the form of transport we recommend whether its a jet air ambulance, a commercial air medical escort, or a medical motor coach is the one that best fits the patients needs.
Another key element of a successful transport: the right air ambulance equipment
At least 24 hours before the scheduled trip, we contact the patient's doctor at the departing facility to learn more about the patient's condition, vital signs, recent lab or other test results, concerns or potential problems. We use that information to ensure that our medical flight crew arrives prepared with the right medical equipment to keep the patient stable throughout the transport.
Each of our planes features an array of medical equipment, such as FAA-approved medical stretchers, defibrillators, ventilators, IV pumps, and critical care medications. Depending on the patient's specific condition and the recommendations of the doctor, we can also equip the air ambulance with additional specialized equipment, such as a fetal heart and tocodynamometer (toco) monitor for pregnant patients or ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) for patients with severe heart and lung problems. Being prepared with the right equipment allows our medical team to deal with the issues that may arise while in transit.
Having the right air medical transport crew is a key success factor
While the right form of transport and the right equipment are critical, it is the medflight air ambulance crew that really determines the success of the transport. Thats why MedFlight911 works with only the most experienced medical professionals and requires ongoing training. Our medical crew have special knowledge of the unique air ambulance environment (such as how shifts in altitude may affect a patient's health) and they are prepared to respond quickly to any changes in the patient's condition during flight. They've also been trained to deal with a range of high-risk medical situations, such as burns, pediatric trauma, multi-trauma situations, cardiac emergencies and respiratory emergencies, and they have certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) and other areas.
Throughout the flight, our crew is able to focus exclusively on the patient because they're supported by the transport coordinators in the MedFlight911 home office. Those air medical transport coordinators are the ones who handle any behind-the-scenes issues that may arise during the transport (such as last minute changes at the receiving facility), which leaves the medical crew free to take care of their patient without any distractions. That means that the patient is able to get to their destination quickly and safely the ultimate goal for everyone involved.
You can find out more about MedFlight911's air ambulance services in our earlier blog posts, or go ahead and give us a call at 888-359-1911 or get a no-obligation transport quote here.
