Medevac or medical evacuation refers to the air transportation of sick or injured individuals requiring medical care not available locally to a health facility in another city or country. In today’s age, medevac is crucial, contributing to making healthcare more accessible all around the world. Discover the different organizational aspects of a medevac, the mode of transport suitable for such a mission, and our medevac services which help the sick and injured receive better medical care all around the world.
Medevac: all you need to know about medical evacuation services
Medevac, short for medical evacuation, refers to the transfer of a patient from his current location to a health facility in another country or city.
Medevac is required to allow patients to receive adequate care and to give them access to specialized health professionals, both of which are unavailable in their current location.
Medevac missions can be conducted in fully equipped air ambulances with a highly trained medical team for patients with serious health conditions or via commercial flights with a medical escort for stable patients, usually a nurse/paramedic or a doctor.
What does medevac mean?
A medevac involves the transport of a seriously ill or wounded patient from a location where the medical infrastructure is lacking to an adequate medical facility in another country or region.
Originating from the First World War, the term medevac was previously used to refer to the transport of wounded soldiers by air force units to other countries. Over the years, the meaning of the term has evolved and is now used outside of the military world.
Usually a medevac entails the use of special medical resources for the air transport of patients in severe medical conditions. Medical professionals as well as specialized equipment are deployed to ensure the safety of the patient during his transfer.
What is the difference between casevac and medevac?
Casevac which is short for casualty evacuation is a term that is used in military context. It refers to the transport of wounded civilians or army members from a battle zone to a medical facility. Though both a casevac and a medevac involve the transport of a patient from one location to another, some differences set them both apart :
Casevac missions are time-sensitive since the patient is in a life-threatening condition and immediate care is of utmost importance. As such, regular vehicles and aircraft with limited medical equipment or none are used for the transport due to the urgency of the situation. On the other hand, medevac missions are carefully planned transfers and can require purpose-built vehicles like air ambulances with cutting-edge medical equipment.
Casevac operations are usually handled by the closest team on site with little or no medical background. Medical attention hence cannot always be provided en-route. Medevac missions, on the contrary, are carried out by qualified medical personnel with a solid experience in aviation medicine. Proper care can be administered by the medical team during the trip.
Finally, casevac missions are usually conducted on short distances and the use of helicopters is usually required. However, aircraft used for medevac situations can cover medium and long distances.
Why are medevac missions essential in today's time?
Medevac is a relevant solution for patients who don’t have access to appropriate health care facilities or adequate treatment in their current location. As a matter of fact, challenges in healthcare accessibility and poor medical infrastructure are still prevalent in some countries. At MTI 24/7, our medevac missions have been carefully designed to cater to the needs of such patients.
One of our missions is to bridge the gap and improve access to healthcare all around the world. To this end, we strive to provide you with the best quality of care during our medevac missions, allowing you to get the necessary treatment worry-free. Our medical evacuation services address the needs of patients suffering from severe pathologies and serious injuries that need to be transported to an appropriate medical facility for specialized treatment, not available locally.
What kind of situations require medevac services?
Various reasons can motivate people to solicit medevac services. Some cases requiring medical evacuation are:
Patients needing specialized medical equipment or even intensive care during their trip;
When flying accompanied by a medical professional is mandatory due to potential complications arising during the transport;
Medical tourism: people suffering from chronic or serious pathologies can seek medical treatment at cheaper prices in other countries;
Immobility: traveling alone can be challenging or even impossible for people with mobility issues. In these cases, a medical personnel can accompany passengers suffering from reduced mobility to assist them when required.
Our medical evacuation operations
At MTI 24/7, we fly our patients across the globe safely and efficiently. We offer medical flights for patients looking for quick transportation over long distances. Generally, our medevac operations are organized via air ambulances or on commercial flights with a medical escort. Let’s take a look at the specificities of these two types of transportation methods.
Medevac via air ambulance
An air ambulance can be deployed for a medevac mission when the patient’s health condition requires specialized equipment such as respiratory devices, ECMO machines, cardiac monitoring units, etc. Our fixed-wing air ambulances are geared with state-of-the-art medical equipment enabling us to fly our patients safely. Ideal for the transfer of patients requiring intensive care, our air ambulances offer comfort even during medium and long-haul flights. Our air ambulances can be mobilized rapidly, often on the same day or the next.
When flying on an air ambulance, the cabin pressure can be adjusted to replicate the air pressure prevailing on ground level. Known as a sea level flight, it is necessary for some pathologies, like pneumothorax, anemia or intestinal obstruction.
A seasoned medical team, consisting of a specialist doctor and a nurse, is onboard to provide assistance, check on vitals and intervene in case of complications. Above all, we ensure our patient’s well-being, comfort and satisfaction.
Medevac with a medical escort on a commercial flight
Medevac missions can be conducted via commercial flights with a medical escort for patients whose health conditions are stable enough and do not require specialized equipment. A medevac with a medical escort can be carried out:
In a seated position in business class or economy class for patients who are stable but need medical attention during the flight;
On a stretcher in economy class for patients who need to lie down due to their medical condition.
A flight nurse or flight doctor is deployed to provide medical assistance and emotional support during the flight. Due to restrictions when flying commercially, limited medical equipment and medications are allowed onboard. Our medical staff’s ability to assist the patient is hence impacted. Moreover, the organization of a medevac on a commercial flight is highly dependent on the airline’s approval and its flight schedules. However, at MTI 24/7, we are committed to provide top-notch and compassionate care all the way through the patient's trip.
Seamless medical evacuation with our bed-to-bed service
Our medevac services also comprise of a bed-to-bed service which translates into an all-inclusive service for our patients. Our bed-to-bed ensures a smooth and personalized transfer for the patient who is taken care of from his hospital bed or home till his admission in the receiving hospital. It includes :
Ground assistance via an ambulance or a taxi to and from the airport;
Thorough coordination with the hospital staff in his home and destination countries for a seamless transfer;
Assistance with formalities and administrative procedures;
A medical team accompanying the patient every step of the way;
A holistic approach taking into consideration the patient’s needs in every detail;
24/7 availability allowing the patient’s family members to contact us for real time information.
How much does a medevac cost?
The cost of a medevac varies according to different factors and more importantly the nature of the patient’s case. Thus, it is difficult to provide an exact answer to this question without having an overview of the patient’s current situation.
The cost of a medevac, be it an international or a domestic flight, fluctuates according to:
The patient’s condition;
The starting address and destination address;
The urgency of the situation;
The number of friends or family members accompanying the patient;
The deployment of a ground transport.
At MTI 24/7, the price of our medevac missions are calculated on a case-by-case basis and in complete transparency.
Contact us
Available 24 hours a day, our team is here to guide you in making an informed decision. Get in touch with us for a free consultation and a non-binding quotation. Our multilingual team will happily assist you.
Reach us by:
Phone: USA: +1 646 335 06 83 / UK: +44 20 3608 0959
Email: info@mti-247.com
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