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Most providers offer operations 24 hours a day 7 days a week across country or international.
A patient or hospital advocate contacts (via phone, email or website) an operations center where a flight coordinator helps determine the medical needs and estimate on the transfer.
Operations center determines the type of air transport needed. From Lear jets to twin engine propeller aircraft to helicopters, air ambulances are completely equipped with the latest in medical transport equipment.
As a point of note: Lear Jets are the most prevalent air ambulance aircraft due to its range, flexibility, flight comfort and reliability. They are typically best equipped for longer distances than other forms of air ambulance aircraft.
A medical briefing occurs.
Coordination of ground operations is established including transport of patient at origin and destination.
Medical staff reviews the patients history with physicians on both ends of the transfer to assure the appropriate medical equipment and staff is onboard .
The transport comes complete with aero-medical trained staff from Nurses to paramedics to physicians to specialists especially selected for the patients care.
Transport of patient from ground ambulance to air ambulance stretcher.
Loaded for departure.
Pre-departure Vital signs check from attending nurse.
Departure and flight to the most accessible airport for the patients treatment destination.
Transfer to a waiting ground ambulance for transport to the treatment destination.
Qualifying Services
It's a good idea to ask the following questions of any prospective aeromedical operator before you put your patient in the air:
Is your medical director trained in flight environment problems?
Do you provide a flight trained nurse?
Is your stretcher certified by the FAA?
Can you supply medical oxygen? - Medical oxygen requires a minimum of four undiluted liters per minute for the duration of the flight, plus one hour, plus an auxiliary supply to support patient between ground transport and in the event of power failure.
How do you hang intravenous fluids?
What kind of suction do you provide? - a necessity for 40% of patients transported by air. Units should be power operated, not hand or foot pumped (a common problem)
What standard medical equipment do you carry? -Ask for a list to be faxed.
What personal comfort items are regularly on board? (A good indicator of attention to patient care)
What emergency drugs and supplies are on board?
Who arranges ground transportation? - Seek an operator who provides "bed to bed" service, even if it is subcontracted. Operators who think of a trip as "airport to airport" aren't seeing the big picture.
Do you keep medical records? What are your guidelines for flight deviations?- ask if the operator has standard written guidelines for his crew to follow.
contains info from www.aircharterguide.com - Copyright 1995-2003 Boston Aviation Services
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