International air ambulance: Long distance patient transport
Medical emergencies are bad enough when they happen at home, but if medical evacuation occurs when you’re abroad it complicates matters significantly. Healthcare systems and standards of care can vary dramatically in different countries, but even if the level of care is acceptable, most people want to go home as soon as possible. For these kinds of long distance patient transport, a dedicated international air ambulance is the fastest way to bring you back.
EMS Air Ambulance & Medical Repatriation Ltd. specializes in international patient transport, offering a comprehensive bed-to-bed service to ensure safe and efficient repatriation for patients worldwide. We handle complex medical repatriation missions, providing critical care in the air and seamless coordination from the patient's current location to their destination hospital.
Types of International Patient Transport Services:
Air Ambulance:
This involves specially equipped aircraft, functioning as mobile Intensive Care Units (ICUs), with state-of-the-art medical equipment and a dedicated medical crew including doctors, paramedics, and intensive care nurses. Air Ambulances are ideal for urgent or long-distance transfers, especially when traditional ground transportation is impractical, too slow, or poses risks to the patient’s health. They can transport patients requiring intensive care level support over short distances and intercontinentally. EMS Air Ambulance & Medical Repatriation Ltd. operates a global network of private jets, allowing us to provide rapid dispatch, often within hours, and be airborne within 24 hours for emergency cases.
Medical Escort on Commercial Flight:
For stable patients whose medical condition allows for non-emergency travel but still requires medical supervision, a medical professional (nurse or doctor) will accompany them on a scheduled commercial flight. This is a cost-effective and safe method that can be arranged in first class, business class, or with a stretcher in economy class, depending on the patient's needs and situation. EMS ensures continuous monitoring and necessary medical interventions throughout the journey.
Private Jet:
Repatriation via Private Jet offers flexibility in terms of scheduling and amenities, chosen for its convenience, comfort, peacefulness, luxury, and ability to accommodate specific travel requirements. These services can be customized to the patient's medical needs and preferences, and can accommodate multiple passengers, including family members or additional medical staff.
Road Ambulance:
For shorter distances or when air transportation is not feasible, EMS Air Ambulance & Medical Repatriation Ltd. utilizes specially equipped Road Ambulances designed for extended journeys. These vehicles are equipped with ICU facilities and modern medical equipment and are staffed with trained medical professionals to provide comprehensive care during land transfers. They are designed to transport patients with various medical conditions, including those requiring critical care, ensuring a safe and comfortable transfer.
The Repatriation Process:
EMS Air Ambulance & Medical Repatriation Ltd. offers a "bed-to-bed" service, managing the entire patient transfer process from start to finish. This includes:
- Initial Contact and Medical Assessment: The process begins with your contact, followed by an in-depth medical assessment by EMS Air Ambulance & Medical Repatriation Ltd.'s 24/7 medical coordination team. They gather necessary details about the patient's condition, location, and desired destination to determine the safest and most appropriate transport method.
- Flight Planning and Logistics: Once the transport mode is decided and confirmed, EMS takes full control of the logistics. This includes arranging the aircraft, medical team, ground ambulances, flight permissions, coordination with hospitals and medical staff at both ends, management of medical records and translations, customs clearance, travel documentation, and ensuring a hospital bed is ready upon arrival.
- Care During Transport: Throughout the journey, a dedicated medical team provides continuous monitoring and care, equipped with the necessary medical background and equipment.
- Seamless Transition and Handover: Upon arrival, EMS ensures a smooth transition to the receiving facility, with an ambulance ready for transport to the final destination. A comprehensive handover is conducted with local doctors and nurses, ensuring all details and documents are provided. Follow-up contact is also made after a few days to check on the patient's progress.
Certifications and Expertise:
EMS Air Ambulance & Medical Repatriation Ltd. is ISO 9001:2015 accredited, signifying their commitment to quality and safety in medical services. Their medical leadership includes Professor Dr. Arie van Vugt, Deputy Medical Manager, a trauma surgeon and expert quality auditor involved in maintaining ISO 9001:2015 certification. Ed Spoelder, Medical Manager, has a background in emergency anesthesiology and extensive operational experience, including leading roles in critical patient transfers.
Customer Testimonials:
Clients consistently praise EMS Air Ambulance & Medical Repatriation Ltd. for their professionalism, efficiency, and compassionate care. For example, Francine Drost shared her gratitude after a Road Ambulance repatriation from Barcelona to the Netherlands, noting the helpful personnel and smooth admission to a Dutch hospital. Bekim Hajdaraj highly recommended EMS 24/7 after they safely brought his brother back to the UK following a serious spinal cord injury, believing their intervention was crucial to his recovery. Michael Darson recounted how EMS-247 organized a full medical repatriation for his oxygen-dependent mother with COPD from Cyprus to the UK, noting the highly trained medic and comprehensive service from hospital bed to hospital.
Contact
If you find yourself in a medical emergency abroad and would like to return home, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions, to request additional information or enquire about specific options. We are here to help. You can reach us by phone, email or through the live chat function on our website. You can also request a free quote to get a better sense of financial implications.
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