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 If you have questions about what to look for when you need air ambulance services, we have provided a list of key considerations below.
Our staff has years of experience in the field, so if you need personalized advice, we can be an invaluable resource in arranging the proper services, no matter what the circumstances.
Our Licensed Respiratory Therapists are available for clinical consultation between patient and air transport provider, as well as clinical escort services.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Medical Air Transport Provider
IS THE AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE LICENSED?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not certify air ambulance operators. The FAA regulates aircraft operations, but exercises no control over the medical aspects of the flight. The individual states were left to decide if they should license their air ambulance operators or not. Some states do, some don’t, and some have minimal requirements. Wherever available, choose a state-certified service provider, so that you are assured that requirements are met in the areas of aircraft size and capabilities, medical equipment inventory, and personnel qualifications.
SHOULD I CONSULT WITH A PARTICULAR SPECIALIST ABOUT MY CONDITION PRIOR TO MY FLIGHT?
Because many medical conditions are affected by air travel, it is best to consult with an Aviation Medical Specialist who is trained to determine the proper equipment, personnel and aircraft required for each transport. Aviation physiology may affect the patient, so particular attention must be given to his/her condition and previous medical history. Southeast Oxygen can work on your behalf to be certain that Respiratory needs are met and make arrangements for each patient to be evaluated by an Aviation Medical Specialist prior to transport.
 WHAT TRAINING REQUIREMENTS SHOULD WE LOOK FOR IN THE AIR MEDICAL TRANSPORT TEAM?
All physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists should have extensive experience in critical care medicine. The doctors and nurses should be certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and be further trained in aviation physiology.
WILL THE AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE PROVIDE BEDSIDE TO BEDSIDE CARE?
Continuity of medical and nursing care is extremely important to the outcome of all patient conditions. Wherever possible, use a service that offers a medical transport team that provides bedside to bedside care, or at the very least request an individual clinical escort service who can attend to the specifics of your care from bedside to bedside.
WHAT ARE THE COSTS OF AN AIR AMBULANCE?
The cost of an air ambulance transport varies depending on type of aircraft used, length of flight, and medical personnel. Quotation for flight costs should be all inclusive of:
- Aircraft Mileage
- Flight Crew
- Medical Personnel
- Aviation Medical Consultations
- Medical Equipment
- Landing Fees
- Ground Ambulance Transportation
- Federal Excise Tax
Some air ambulance services may quote aircraft mileage only, or might initially quote a low price for an inappropriate aircraft and then later either raise the price “due to add-ons,” or finally decide that you need a different aircraft, which, of course, will cost more than the original quote. Be sure that the quotation is all inclusive for the right type of aircraft. Reconfirm the quotation and the aircraft to be utilized.
WILL THE PROPER AIRCRAFT BE UTILIZED? WILL IT COMFORTABLY ACCOMMODATE THE PATIENT?
The major factor to consider in selecting the type of aircraft is the patient’s condition. For most flights of more than one or two hours duration, jet aircraft is certainly preferable to a propeller aircraft. The patient’s “flight time” is substantially minimized in a jet. A jet’s flight will be above the weather, not bouncing around in it. All jet aircraft are pressurized. There will be fewer fuel stops (or none at all) than with a propeller aircraft. Some propeller aircraft are pressurized, others are not. For short flights, particularly when the patient is very stable, a propeller aircraft (even an unpressurized one) might be utilized for air ambulance flights. However, this is a decision that should only be made after the consultation between an Aviation Medical Specialist and and the patient’s physician. Airplanes with proper loading capabilities are also necessary. Some aircraft have doorways and internal configurations which cannot accept stretcher entry at all or without tilting the patient.
IS A FAA APPROVED STRETCHER UTILIZED?
Unbelievably, some services do not have stretchers; some simply carry the patients on the floor of the aircraft on mattresses. Make sure that the service you choose will use an FAA approved stretcher securely fastened to the aircraft. The stretcher must have straps to secure the patient. It must be located so that the attendant has good access to the patient’s entire body.
IS COMPLETE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT CARRIED ON THE AIRCRAFT?
This is a most important consideration. The states that require licensing of air ambulance service do establish at least the bare minimums for required equipment. The truly competent air ambulance service carries much more than any licensing authority requires. And in addition to standard equipment, often additional items are needed to care for particular patients. This should be determined during the preflight consultation with the patient’s attending physician.
A true air ambulance should have the following:
- A. Basic Patient Care Equipment
- Oxygen equipment, with proper masks and nasal cannulas
- Complete drug kit with general drugs
- Stethoscope and blood pressure cuff
- IV administration sets and fluids (IV pumps)
- Oral airways and manual resuscitation unit
- Suction equipment, electrical and oxygen powered
- Emergency cardiac drugs
- Intubation equipment
- Other specified as indicated:
- Cardiac Monitor/Defibrillator
- Ventilator (Volumetric)
- Special splints traction units (cervical orthosis, stryker frame, Hare etc.)
IS MEDICAL OXYGEN PROVIDED?
Make sure that medical oxygen (not aviators breathing oxygen) is provided and make sure that sufficient quantity is provided for the flight.
NOTE: In many, if not most, cases even if a patient is not receiving oxygen on the ground, he should receive oxygen in flight because of the reduced oxygen available in the normal air as the aircraft ascends.
ARE INTRAVENOUS FLUIDS PROVIDED?
Many patients require IV fluids during flights. A competent service will always have these available even if the preliminary information does not indicate that they will be required. Due to low aircraft ceiling and changes in pressurization, an intravenous pump is often required with intravenous therapy.
IS PROPER SUCTIONING PROVIDED?
Many patients require suctioning when transported by air even if they don’t require suctioning on the ground. Make sure the operator provides suction units with sufficient power to operate them for the entire period of the flight. Make sure these suction units are powered either electrically or by oxygen. Hand or foot operated units are of little value.
DOES THE AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE PROVIDE PROPER PATIENT COMFORT?
The air ambulance service should provide: clean sheets, pillows, blankets, etc. Catering should be provided with particular attention to the patients required diet. Rain sheets, umbrellas, etc. should be made available for patient transfer in inclement weather. If possible, hangars should be available for patient loading/unloading in extremely bad weather.
IS GROUND AMBULANCE TRANSPORTATION INCLUDED IN THE TRANSPORT SERVICE?
An air ambulance service should control all aspects of the patient transport. A “TOTAL SERVICE” air ambulance will provide bedside to bedside service. It is imperative that ground ambulance arrangements be made, confirmed, updated and reconfirmed to avoid patient waiting. This should be done by the air ambulance service with the all-inclusive price quotation.
IS THE AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE AVAILABLE FOR ALL AVIATION MEDICINE INQUIRIES?
The air ambulance service should have sufficient medical personnel on staff to handle all inquiries as they arise. Of course, emergencies will be given first priority; however, someone should be available to answer specific questions regarding air patient transport. |
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