AirCARE1 International

The time it takes to access medical attention from the time an incident takes place, or the symptoms of an illness start can be critical in determining whether the person recovers or not. But getting to the hospital is not always as smooth as it ought to be what with certain areas being remote and inaccessible by road or the possibility of an ordinary ambulance encountering a heavy traffic jam on the way to the hospital. This is where air ambulances are more appropriate.

Air medical transport is usually used where the infrastructure for the more commonly used forms of transport such as road and rail is nonexistent or virtually unusable. Alternatively, you might have the infrastructure being in excellent condition but because the person needs medical attention virtually immediately, then air medical transport becomes the fastest means to move him or her to the hospital.

Air ambulances are often equipped with various types of medication including medicine, monitoring units, stretchers, CPR equipment and ventilators. The type of equipment will vary from one air ambulance service to another but the overall intention is usually to ensure that the patient can receive emergency medical treatment in order to stabilize their condition before they get to the hospital. This should be one of the most important aspects you should look at before you choose an air medical transport company to use.

But how did air ambulances start? Air medical transport started among military teams when they used aircraft to transport injured soldiers back to their camps for treatment. More specifically, this form of transport for wounded and ill soldiers was first used in 1870 to transport injured French soldiers using a hot air balloon during the Siege of Paris. However, it was not until the First World War when airplanes had started to become a more commonly used weapon of war that the use of air ambulances started to gain ground.

During this time Germany, which had one of the fleets at the time, used air medical transport to evacuate soldiers wounded in the battle front lines back to Germany. The US military forces also greatly relied on air transport to move injured soldiers from danger zones to safer grounds during the Korean and Vietnam War. From those early days, the tendency to use air medical transport has become so ingrained in militaries across the world. Only recently, the US government deployed several helicopters to Iraq to act as air ambulances. The efficiency of air ambulances in medical services soon transitioned into the civilian medical services arena.

As you would expect from any service industry, not all air medical transport service providers are the same or provide the same level of quality or service. So there are things you need to consider when choosing the air ambulance that is most suitable for you. First, check if the firm is properly registered and licensed. That said, most states in the US do not have strong regulation around air ambulance services. Thus, you may need to gauge the firm against best practice. Go for firms that are well equipped and demonstrate a qualified, trained and skilled staff.

Next, be certain on whether you are negotiating with a broker or the air ambulance firm itself. This is important not only because some brokers or firms are inconsistent and unreliable thus disappointing you when you actually need the service, but it is also important because using a broker can see you paying more to cater for the broker’s commission.

A medical flight is an air ambulance service provided to the sick and those with injuries. It is of great benefit because it reduces significantly the time taken to transport a patient from one destination to another. This service is essential especially where a patient is critically injured or is seriously ill and requires urgent specialized treatment.

Organizations providing air ambulance services need to maintain a uniform standard for all their airplanes, medical equipment and professional staff. The quality of service they provide is governed by two factors:

• High standards for the airplanes used and medical equipment fitted into the air ambulance:       In this business, jets are the preferred mode of transport because they are more economical and eliminate the need for making transit stops to refuel the plane. Jets such as the Lear jet have wide doors, which allow the patient easy entry/exit from the plane. It is ideal for both short distances and long-range flights.
• An advanced training program: The medical staff needs to undergo a rigorous training program to qualify to serve as flight personnel. This ensures adherence to high standards of performance amongst flight personnel.

Some air ambulance services require two pilots on every medical flight while others use only one pilot. However, having two pilots on board enhances safety. This is essential especially in an emergency because two minds are better than one. Two medical personnel should also accompany the pilots. The medical personnel should have significant experience in ER and ICU operations. They should be conversant with flight physiology. Additional medical personnel may also accompany the patient if the situation so demands.

To put the patient at ease, one or two friends/relatives of the patient should accompany the patient free of charge. Having a friend with them significantly reduces stress levels.

The most common users of air ambulance services are patients suffering from trauma, respiratory conditions requiring ventilators, patients who have head injuries and cardiovascular complications.

FAA requires installation of the Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) for all aircraft flying above 29,000 feet.  Flying at such an altitude ensures faster travel and comfort for the patient. Flying below 29,000 feet on the other hand, exposes the patient to unnecessary discomfort. It also compromises safety because of the need for additional fuel stops, increased transit times involving a possible change of crew and flying in turbulent weather conditions.

Air ambulance services provide three levels of care:

• Basic life support:  Such care is for persons who have relatively minor medical conditions, probably requiring oxygen or IV supplementation.
• Advance life support: patients requiring this category of care need higher levels of attention. There is need for increased monitoring of their condition on a continuous basis with access to IV facilities and drug transfusion.
• Critical care support: a patient in need of such specialist support will need constant monitoring, frequent drug administration, use of ventilators and other specialist gadgets that help to sustain life in an emergency.

It is important to talk to air ambulance personnel to determine if a patient needs to use their services. Depending on the condition of the patient, they may recommend use of ground ambulance or an air ambulance. However, the patient’s safety is most important and the decision made should focus on that.