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What You Need to Know About Air Ambulances

 

Air ambulances are an effective and rapid way to transport patients who have suffered a serious medical emergency and who are too ill to travel by ground. They are especially helpful in areas where a conventional land ambulance may not be available or in rural areas where a hospital with the appropriate expertise might be located far away.

 

Unlike ground ambulances, air ambulances have specialized equipment to treat and monitor a patient in flight. This equipment includes medications, ventilators and ECGs (electrocardiogram) monitoring units. It also includes CPR equipment, stretchers and other essential gear to help the patient recover from their injuries and illness.

Non-Emergency Reasons to Use an Air Ambulance

 

The most common non-emergency reason for using an air ambulance is to transport a sick or injured person from one place to another that is far away. This could be an international trip, a surgery or other major procedure at a hospital outside the patient's area of residence.

 

In the United States and Canada, there are several organizations that provide these services. These include government-funded, private enterprises, and nonprofit organizations. Some of these organizations operate helicopters, while others use fixed-wing aircraft. Here's a good read about air medical escort,  check it out!  

Cost & Sky-High Prices

 

The average cost of an air ambulance trip has more than doubled over the past decade. This is due in large part to the fact that there is little regulatory oversight or standardization of air ambulance companies.

 

This is especially the case for out-of-network providers. Many health insurances do not cover these trips, and the price can quickly add up. Kindly   visit this website https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/ambulance  for more useful reference. 

 

If your doctor is a member of a medical organization that provides air ambulance service, ask how the company is regulated and whether it has an outstanding safety record. Most air ambulance operators have excellent records and are well-respected in the field of medicine.

Does the team remain in contact with a hospital during the transport?

 

The medical team that accompanies your patient in an air ambulance must stay in contact with the hospital at all times. Usually this means using two-way radios or air phones.

 

Does the crew have the experience and training to handle the specific needs of your patient?

 

The air ambulance team members on board the airplane are a group of highly trained, professional and skilled medical professionals. They have advanced, specialized medical training and have years of experience treating people with life-threatening or complex health problems. They are trained to handle the most urgent situations, including emergency cases, trauma, cardiac arrest, stroke and spinal cord injury.

 

Will the crew carry a full complement of critical care medications, monitoring equipment and oxygen?

 

The Mayo Clinic flight teams carry a full complement of medication, monitors and oxygen to meet the needs of patients with complex or serious health conditions. This is comparable to what a hospital's critical care unit or emergency department can provide, and they are fully trained in how to use their equipment and administer the necessary medications.

 

Will the flight be staffed by a qualified emergency physician?