After a sudden medical distress abroad, medical repatriation services are essential to fly patients back home safely while ensuring uninterrupted medical care. Sick and injured patients can rely on medical repatriation services which offer emergency transportation and allow them to receive high-quality care in their home country. Even though medical repatriations are essential components of the healthcare landscape, questions surrounding them are abundant. In this article, we’ll explore the relevance of medical repatriation services, how they work and their costs.
Everything you need to know about medical repatriation
Medical repatriation is the process of transporting a critically sick or injured person back to his country of origin for further medical treatment or for recovery.
Medical repatriations can be organized in air ambulances or via commercial airline with a medical escort depending on the patient’s health status.
Reasons for which people rely on the medical repatriation include lack of medical infrastructures or specialized care, expensive medical treatments in their current location or the desire to be reunited with their family members.
Medical repatriation costs may vary according to the patient’s health condition, transportation mode, the itinerary, the medical gear and team required, the number of accompanying persons, ground transportation requirements.
What is medical repatriation?
Medical repatriation is the process of flying a person back to their home country with proper medical assistance. It offers optimal and quick transportation to patients who cannot fly safely without medical attention. Medical repatriation can be conducted over short and long distances which means that transcontinental transfers and even domestic flights are possible.
Due to the time factor and delicate nature of the missions, medical repatriations warrant a team of experts who can handle logistical and organizational aspects while ensuring that the patients are transferred seamlessly. At MTI 24/7, we have extensive experience in carrying out medical repatriation missions and have the expertise to help you navigate the challenges associated with medical air transportation.
When is medical repatriation needed?
Medical repatriation is usually needed for critically ill or severely injured patients who are unable to fly without some form of medical attention. Medical assistance is required to ensure their safety, monitor their vitals and more importantly to intervene in case of an in-flight emergency. Not only do medical repatriation services enable patients to timely access proper health care but also to reach their destination safely.
At MTI 24/7, our medical repatriation services have been designed for various types of people with different pathologies or medical situations. We regularly plan medical repatriation flights for patients with the following conditions: recent heart attack, trauma injuries, recent stroke, terminal cancer, disabilities or mental disorders, congenital diseases and elderly patients suffering from multiple health issues.
Why do patients opt for medical repatriation?
Medical repatriation is key to patients who are abroad and need or want to get back to their home country urgently. Besides the existing possibility that their health condition might worsen during the return flight, there are many reasons that motivate patients to rely on medical repatriation services:
Poor quality of the health services in the country where they are currently located;
Inability to get treated locally due to the lack of adequate medical infrastructures;
Inaccessibility of specialty treatment or doctors;
Costly medical procedures requiring up-front payment in countries where the patient’s healthcare insurance is not accepted;
Language barriers hindering access to optimal care;
Desire to be close to family members and friends for a better support system.
Patient transport options for medical repatriation
Depending on the patient’s health status, medical repatriations can be conducted either on air ambulances or commercial flights with a medical escort. At MTI 24/7, we can tailor our medical repatriation flights to our patient’s needs with the aim of delivering the best care possible.
Air ambulance services
Air ambulance services are provided for patients who are in life-threatening conditions and require time-sensitive medical transportation. Outfitted with intensive care equipment, air ambulances are engineered to transport patients safely and efficiently while providing comfort.
During an air ambulance flight, a dedicated medical team is deployed to cater to the patient's specific needs. The medical team can comprise of a specialist physician, paramedics and nurses depending on the patient’s health status. Trained in aviation medicine, they are tasked to oversee the patient’s conditions and intervene if needed.
One differentiating factor of air ambulance services is the rapid deployment of the medical resources and crew. Planning of an air ambulance flight can usually be done within 24 to 48 hours. Additionally, we can make arrangements for patients requiring specialized equipment like ECMO machines, anti-decubitus mattresses or paediatric medical devices. The ability to adjust the cabin pressure allowing for a sea-level flight is another advantage of air ambulances. This special feature is required for certain medical conditions making usual pressurisation in commercial flights unbearable for some patients. Sea level flights make for an enhanced experience for patients suffering from pneumothorax, bowel obstructions or trapped air after surgery, amongst others.
Medical escort services onboard commercial flights
Medical escort services are designed for the transportation of patients needing minimal care during their flight. Patients who are stable enough, capable of supporting the physical strain as well as the difference in cabin pressure can count on medical escort services.
A flight doctor or a flight nurse is usually mobilized during a medical escort mission which ensures the patient’s well-being at all times. Their main role is to assist the patient, provide care as well as support and to ensure that he is comfortable during his flight.
Due to restrictions applied by airline companies in regards to medical equipment and medications that can be onboarded, it is not recommended for patients requiring specialized care to fly commercially. While the medical escorts have the necessary knowledge to respond quickly to emergency situations, they are limited in their abilities since they are geared with first-aid medical equipment only.
Patients can either fly in business or economy class in a seated position while stretcher flights carried out in economy class can be organized for patients who are required to lie down during their trip. Whilst medical escort services onboard commercial flights is a cheaper alternative to air ambulance services, it should however be noted that it usually takes longer to organize, often 2 to 3 days depending on the airline company’s response time.
How much does medical repatriation cost?
Medical repatriation costs vary according to the specifics of the mission. Indeed medical repatriation costs differ from one case to another because for every mission, different parameters come into play. Factors that are considered when estimating medical repatriation costs are the type of aircraft, the number of accompanying persons, the itinerary, the patient’s medical condition, the urgency of the mission, the need for a ground ambulance, the medical team, and the medical equipment to be mobilized.
At MTI 24/7, we provide individual quotes for our patients while ensuring transparency and deploying every effort to provide you with the most cost-effective solution. Available 24/7, our team can provide you with a detailed quotation for free. After a thorough consultation, they will establish your needs and devise the most appropriate transportation solution for you. Do not hesitate to give us a call for customized advice or a non-binding quotation.
Why book your medical repatriation with us?
The organization of a medical repatriation can be a particularly complex process with its clear set of challenges. Having an expert team with an acquired knowledge in the planning of medical repatriations can make a substantial difference, especially in the event of a medical emergency in a foreign country. That’s why at MTI 24/7, we foster a purpose-driven team who is always ready to accompany the patient and his family with care and professionalism every step of the way.
When booking your medical repatriation with us, we offer several advantages:
Bed-to-bed service: this service includes a medical assessment, a ground assistance, the coordination with the different parties, help with the formalities guaranteeing an unparalleled synergy for a smooth transfer;
Round the clock availability: our agents are available day and night to walk you through the booking process or update you on any developments regarding your case;
Transparent and competitive pricing: our prices come without any additional charge or hidden fees and our team will do their utmost to find the most budget-friendly air transport solution;
Qualified medical staff: your well-being and safety being at the heart of our services, an experienced and highly-trained medical personnel is selected for every mission;
Customized service: our agents will do their absolute best to layout the most suitable formula for a seamless transfer while catering to your specific needs;
Multilingual team: aware that language barriers can be a huge obstacle for patients needing medical care in a foreign country, we put at your disposal a team who is fluent in at least 15 languages.
Compassionate approach: sick and injured people as well as their relatives sometimes need a shoulder to lean on and at MTI 24/7, we nurture an empathetic approach to provide our patients the support needed in this difficult time.
Global reach: our services are available across the globe and we can organize your medical repatriation wherever you are in the world.
Contact us for your medical repatriation!
Our team is available 24/7 to advise you on the best medical repatriation flight option and deliver a non-binding free quotation. Get in touch with us today by phone, email or our contact form and we will assist you like you are one of our own.
Reach us by:
Phone: USA: +1 646 335 06 83 / UK: +44 20 3608 0959
Email: info@mti-247.com
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