When the unthinkable happens, having a team of reliable and qualified professionals by your side is crucial. A serious accident or the sudden onset of a severe disease while being abroad or in a country where the medical infrastructure is scarce can require urgent patient transport. At MTI 24/7, we provide optimal patient transport to ensure our passenger’s well-being at all times. In this article, we will dive into our transport options, their specificities and how we ensure smooth and safe patient transfers across the globe.
Patient transport services: what you need to know?
Patient transport services are required for people looking to get repatriated or evacuated in a medically-assisted environment.
Patient transport can be organized either via an air ambulance, a commercial airliner with a medical escort team or in a ground ambulance.
The safety of the patient is ensured by a carefully selected medical team and by the use of appropriate medical equipment. Additionally, a medical assessment is carried out to determine the patient’s aptitude to travel.
What is patient transport?
Patient transport refers to the transfer of a sick or injured person in a ground vehicle or in an aircraft to a medical facility. The mode of transportation varies according to the patient’s health condition and his needs. With a specialized medical team by his side, the patient receives the support and care he needs during his trip.
Medical repatriations and medical evacuations are the most common reasons that call for patient transport. It is usually required for individuals who have serious medical conditions and who do not have access to adequate medical treatment locally. Patient transport allows them to reach a more appropriate healthcare facility safely and in a timely manner.
Non-emergency situations can also require patient transport services. When medical attention is recommended for the patient’s safety during his trip, a non-emergency transport with adequate medical professionals can be mobilized. Patients not requiring time-critical transfers and wishing to be relocated or traveling for planned treatment can request this type of service.
Types of patient transport services
As previously mentioned, there are different options for patient transport and they are highly dependent on the patient’s health condition. Air ambulances, commercial flights with a medical escort, and ground ambulances are the common patient transport options.
Air ambulances: long-distance ICU patient transport options
Air ambulances are the preferred choice for the air transport of critically-ill or severely wounded patients. Helicopters and airplanes can be used in these cases. At MTI 24/7, our helicopter missions are carried out for patients needing a short-distance flight, usually from one hospital to another. On the other hand for long-distance transportation, a fixed-wing aircraft, also known as a medical jet, is employed.
Our air ambulances are specially engineered for the transport of patients needing intensive care. In addition to highly-trained medical personnel onboard, usually a doctor and a paramedic, our air ambulances are outfitted with cutting-edge medical equipment. Mirroring an intensive care unit, they enable the medical team to handle in-flight emergencies and provide specialized care in-flight. Air ambulances can be dispatched rapidly, often on the same day or the next.
Commercial flights with a medical escort
Patient transport via commercial airliners are conducted in non-emergency cases only. When opting for a commercial flight, patients should be stable and considered fit to fly. Furthermore, reduced cabin pressure should not be a cause for concern.
When flying commercially, one or multiple seats can be booked in business or first class to allow the patient with a benign disease or wound to sit or lie down comfortably whenever needed. Bed-ridden patients with special medical needs may be transported on a stretcher in economy class or in a Patient Transport Compartment (PTC) if necessary. The approval of the commercial airline company is, however, required for all patient transports.
Accompanied by a medical escort, our patients are under medical supervision throughout their journey and can be tended to in case of an emergency. A nurse, a paramedic or a specialist doctor equipped with authorized medical emergency equipment can be mobilized for the commercial flight.
Though being a cost-effective solution, patient transport via a commercial airliner takes longer in terms of organization, especially since authorization is required from the airline company. The planning of a commercial flight with a medical escort usually requires at least 2 to 3 days.
Ground ambulances
Patients seeking to get repatriated or medically evacuated to a neighboring country at a cheaper price can rely on ground transportation. Ground ambulance transportation is a perfect solution for patients in a stable condition. Fully geared with medical equipment, our ground ambulances offer smooth patient transfer with high-quality care.
During the ground transportation, our patient is accompanied by a qualified medical staff, a nurse, a paramedic, or if necessary a doctor providing constant medical assistance and support. Our ground ambulances can accommodate non-critical patients who need medical supervision during their trip.
How do we ensure your safety during patient transport?
Safety is a keyword when it comes to our patient transport missions. To that end, we make a collaborative effort to provide you with an unparalleled and reliable service wherever you are in the world. To ensure your safety, we take all necessary measures at every stage of your transfer:
Careful medical assessment: to determine the right transport option, your aptitude to trave,l and as well as your medical needs, a medical evaluation is carried out by our medical committee.
Experienced healthcare professionals: a medical team is scrupulously selected to accompany you at every step of the way and to provide continuous medical attention.
State-of-the-art medical equipment: during our patient transport missions, we make sure that our medical team is equipped with the latest medical gear to enable them to intervene efficiently.
Sea-level flights: when using a medical jet for a patient transfer, we ensure the patient’s safety by carrying out a sea-level flight whereby the cabin pressure is adjusted so that it’s similar to that at ground level. It is highly recommended for patients suffering from intracranial pressure, anemia or a pneumothorax.
Bed-to-bed patient transport: for extra care at all steps
Our bed-to-bed patient transport is a complementary service that offers a seamless transfer. As such, the patient is taken care of from his hospital bed abroad or in his home country till his hospital bed in the destination country.
Focusing on a holistic approach, we spare no effort to provide you with the right support at all steps. Our bed-to-bed service has been conceived to offer a seamless patient transport for you and your family.
Our bed-to-bed patient transport encompasses:
the medical transportation;
the coordination with all parties involved;
the handling of the logistics;
ground transportation services,
a personalized service,
help with paperwork and formalities.
How much does patient transport cost?
The cost of patient transport varies according to several factors. It is hence difficult to provide an actual price estimate without being aware of all the parameters.
Factors that come into the equation when calculating the cost of patient transport are:
Transportation mode;
Start and destination addresses;
Patient’s health condition;
Type of medical equipment required onboard;
Medical personnel to be dispatched;
Urgency of the request;
Accompanying persons;
Ground transportation requirement.
Choosing and booking the right patient transport option
In times of uncertainty and despair, we are conscious that an experienced team of professionals and expert advice can make a difference. This is why we provide guidance on the best transport option and assist you in every way possible when booking with us. Get in touch with us to make an informed decision when choosing a patient transport option.
Our streamlined booking process is as follows:
Contact us by phone, email or our contact form for a personalized quotation;
Get all your documents prepared: those are your passport, medical visa, medical reports;
Confirm your booking: we will take care of the organizational aspects of your patient transport, from your medical assessment, the coordination with hospital staff to requesting the necessary clearances.
Contact us to organize your patient transport
Our team is available 24 hours a day and will walk you through the steps of our booking process. Our team will be more than happy to help you opt for the best patient transport solution. Reach them by phone, mail or our contact form for personalized advice and support.
Reach us by:
Phone: USA: +1 646 335 06 83 / UK: +44 20 3608 0959
Email: info@mti-247.com
Our contact form
