Important Facts about Non-Emergency Medical Air Transport

Non-emergency medical transport is very essential for patients who need to be shifted from one facility to another.

It is also vital for patients who are looking to go home after a surgery or a medical procedure. Unlike a regular commercial airline these long distance medical transport services companies can organize air ambulances if required and ensure that the health and safety of the patient is given top priority. Let’s look at such medical transport companies in detail.

1.Purpose Of A Long Distance Medical Transport Company

The main objective of such a company is to provide safe transportation to somebody who is unwell. In most cases the situation is sensitive and needs urgent attention. Every situation needs a specific type of response. A long distance medical transport services company will have on board specialized teams that will be ready to handle any kind of situation.

2. Types of Customers They Cater To

There are long distance ambulance providers who are equipped to transport a patient from one medical facility to another. And there are others who take care of the needs of a medical tourist. The teams on board such ambulances are specially trained to cater to the needs of the patients and give emotional support to the accompanying family members. The staff on board generally consists of nurses and paramedics, with loads of experience.

3. When Is An Air Ambulance The Best Option?

An air ambulance should be considered when the patient is unable to travel by a commercial airliner. Look out for the following symptoms –

1. If the patient cannot sit upright for a long period of time.
2. If the patient has been injured during his visit aboard and is returning home for medical care.
3.  If the patient is in a critical care condition and needs to travel to seek better health care.
4.  For people with a terminal illness, it is highly recommended to fly with a medically trained service provider, instead of a commercial airliner.

4. Choose a Well Accredited Company

A good and reputed long distance ambulance provider will have accreditation with a government agency. Choose a provider who has a sound reputation and good reviews.

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All You Ever Wanted To Know About An Air Ambulance

An air ambulance is the most convenient and comfortable means of transport for patients who are incapable of traveling by road.

An air ambulance is basically a small business class aero plane that has been designed to transport people who need urgent medical aid. It is especially helpful for covering distances beyond hundred miles and in cases when the patient is too weak or unwell to sit through a commercial flight. Have a look at air ambulances in detail.

1. Facilities on an Air Ambulance

The crew on the air ambulance is medically trained and has all the vital equipment like a respirator, ECG machines and CPR aids. The airplane is specially designed to ensure that the patient is safe and comfortable at all times.

2. Types of Air Ambulances

Ambulances can be categorized in two categories. The first type is the helicopters and the second are the small air planes. Helicopters are used for short distances and pressed into service in trauma situations. They are mostly managed by state run hospitals and are linked to the emergency department.  The aircrafts with fixed wings are generally used for medical transport of the non emergency kind.

3. Cost of an Air Ambulance?

As expected air ambulances are expensive. The cost is generally calculated on the condition of the patient, the aircraft that is being hired and the distance to be traveled. A reputed long distance medical transport services company will be committed to providing quality and affordable services to all their clients. It is advisable to carry a health cover when travelling abroad, in order to cover any such unexpected medical expenses.

4. Selecting the Right Service

You can choose an air ambulance service that suits your budget and the needs of the patient. Families can also opt for a medical escort service, especially in the cases where the patient is unable to sit up and handle the landing and takeoff procedures independently. The escort can monitor the condition of the patient continuously and provide any medical aid that he might need.

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Air Travel For The Elderly – Psychological and Physiological Aspects

The fear of travel in the elderly may lead to anxiety and other medical problems.

The anxiety that the elderly feel before boarding a flight is seen in situations like delayed check-ins, reclaim of baggage and at the time of takeoff and landing. The thought of going to the airport and assembling all necessary documents adds to the stress levels. There have been cases that the shooting stress levels lead to a medical condition in which an immediate medical evacuation was required. Let’s read a little more about these two aspects of travelling in the elderly.

1. At The Airport

Imagine an elderly person trying to navigate through a sea of people, trying to reach the right departure or check in counter. He may have poor hearing and eyesight too. The stress levels are bound to rise in such a noisy place. It has been seen that most medical emergencies take place at the terminal and not inside the aircraft.

2. Problems in the Sinus and Ears

The pressure inside the cabin can cause harm to the middle ear and the ear drum. In the elderly sometimes the body fails to balance the pressure on the outside and the inside, leading to the rupture of the ear drum.

3. Motion Sickness

The change in the pressure inside the cabin combined with other psychological factors can leads to motion sickness. These conditions get out of control if the elderly has consumed alcohol in excessive amounts. In most cases this condition is pretty harmless. But in a few it may lead to other serious conditions like dehydration and an imbalance of the electrolytes. Anti histamines are known to be helpful in such cases, but no drug should be administered without consulting a doctor.

4. Risk of Infection

Since elderly are already in a frail state of health the closed cabin cab expose them to a risk of infection from fellow passengers. The most common infections that he may catch are influenza, measles and other respiratory diseases. If possible an elderly should be seated away from other unwell travelers.

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Deal With Jet Lag While Travelling Long Distance

While travelling by air, you may be reaching your destination in the shortest time possible, but your body needs time to get over the jet lag.

When a traveler reaches a destination, his body clock needs time to come back to its normal patterns or Circadian Rhythms. In very simple terms, what we commonly term as jet lag, is the customization of the body with the new time and place. Let’s read a little more about it.

1. When Does It Happen?

Jet lag is generally seen when an individual travels four time zones in a particular direction. In other words if you are travelling from London to Europe you may not feel any tiredness. But if you are travelling to India from London you surely will.

2. Why Is It Called Jet Lag?

In the earlier times when people used to travel by sea they felt less tired and exhausted as the travel time was much more. But modern day aircrafts do not give the body any time to adjust. Hence the tiredness hits you like a jet. People in good health also take at least a good 24 hours to adjust to the new changes.

3. Symptoms of Jet Lag

People who are already suffering from any chronic ailment see their infections rise and get extremely uncomfortable and distressed. In certain cases where the elderly are travelling, families sometimes hire the services of a commercial flight medical escort, to ensure that any unforeseen situation can be controlled in time. The common symptoms are insomnia, lack of appetite, nausea, constipation and extreme tiredness.

4. Avoid Jet Lag

Sleeping while in flight is an easy solution to avoid the jet lag. But then long periods of staying in one place can raise the chances of DVT. Try and relax while in the flight. Avoid further travelling if you are already jet lagged. When making you travel plans, remember that the actual travel time will be twice the time that will be spent in air. Keep the details of a medical escorts company, handy just in case the symptoms aggravate into something serious.

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Coping with DVT While Travelling by Air

The prospect of travelling long distance, sometimes leads to elevation of health issues. As air travel gets cheaper, the airports and the terminals are getting crowded by the day.

Flying by air is considered as one of the safest mode of travel. When making travel plans, which involve children and elderly, it is extremely important to keep the details of an air ambulance services provider handy. One of the common symptoms or medical condition seen while in flight is DVT or ‘Deep Vein Thrombosis.’ Let’s read a little more about it.

1. What Is DVT?

DVT is generally caused due to long hours of no or little activity. Small blood clots are sometimes formed in the feet and the legs. They are harmless in most people. But can pose a health risk for people suffering from heart diseases, cancer, pregnancy or a recent injury.

2. Why Does It Happen?

Some experts disagree about any certain relation between DVT and air travel. Airlines have limited space and the cabin crew generally discourages moving around. The long hours of immobility causes DVT. The air at high altitude is also very dry and adds to the trouble.

3. The Symptoms of DVT?

The symptoms may not be visible immediately and may get highlighted once you reach home or embark from the plane. It may start with pain in the calves and get worse every passing hour. The area of pain may also show swelling and redness. In some cases the clots may also get blue. If the traveler sees any such symptoms he should consult a doctor immediately.

4. How to Avoid DVT?

If you have no allergy to aspirin, take a small dose of it before you board the flight. Always wear comfortable and loose clothing while travelling. Avoid crossing your legs for long durations. If possible walk up and down the aisle after every hour or so. Keep yourself hydrated by having water.

5. Inform Your Doctor

Discuss your travel plans with your doctor and revise all medications with him for travel. Stay calm and enjoy the flight.

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What Are the Different Travel Medical Assistance Services for Business Travelers?

Business travelers never know when they might have to encounter with a medical emergency during their trips. In such times, it becomes most essential to have the contact number of travel medical assistance company. They can arrange to get you back home from a far flung region and also arrange for immediate medical assistance where ever you are.

Frequent business travelers are vulnerable to several medical ailments. Sometimes hectic schedules can take a toll on your health, while at other times, you may have to encounter a medical emergency unknowingly. At such times, the services of a medical travel assistance company can be of great help, and here’s how:

Provide Instance Access to Medical Aid

Contacting a travel medical assistance company is the best way to get access to instant medical assistance in any part of the world.

Since, you are away from your home, you can’t kill time and negotiate with your family physician. Assistance companies instead will make the best possible aid available in the nearest distance and make arrangements to transport you there if needed.

Medical Assistance Is Just a Call Away

All it takes is one call to a travel medical assistance company to have access to medical aid. They not only have contacts the world over, but also have a well established network to ensure you get timely medical aid. Later, they may also make arrangement to deport you back home for better treatment.

Get Recommended to the Best Specialists

You may get stuck in a far flung region, where medical professionals are not highly competent to attend to needs. This is when medical assistance companies can have the best medical specialists give recommendations till you’re fit to travel back home. 

They Arrange Logistics to Get You Back Home

Different countries have different travel rules for medical patients and may require you to produce several documents before departure. Medical assistance companies normally take up the responsibility of maintaining our records and get all the clearances on your behalf. They position medical escorts on board to care good care of patients throughout your journey. 

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Myths About Travel Insurance

Travelling abroad without insurance is the same as travelling without a toothbrush.

Be a smart traveler and next time when you make your list of to do things; remember to add travel insurance to it. By investing a very small amount you can be relieved and covered for any unexpected turn of events. Most of us are reluctant to get travel insurance as we feel no need for it. Let’s read some myths related to it and help you make a sound decision next time.

1. Will an Air Ambulance be Covered?

A good travel insurance company will cover the cost of hiring an air ambulance in the situation where a policy holder falls ill or faces an emergency situation. But be double sure and read the terms and conditions carefully before signing the dotted line. Certain companies will not cover you if your medical condition falls in the category of medical tourism.

2. Will it Cover all Illness During Travel?

As mentioned before it is better to read and be double sure than to assume that it will. Remember a long distance transportation services company will offer you their services only if you are covered for it. There are exceptions if you lifestyle includes dangerous activities like skiing, bungee jumping or scuba diving for example, then coverage might be difficult.

3. Isn't the Credit Coverage Enough?

Most reputed credit card companies offer long distance medical transport services to a limited extent. But it has been seen that in most cases the coverage on the card does not take care of all medical costs and the card holder might require additional coverage. Read carefully.

4. Do I Need Insurance Even for a Short Trip?

Travel insurance is a sound investment be it a short trip or a long one. You need to remember that sickness will not warn before coming. Accidents can happen anywhere and cause a delay or upset in the plan. At that time a good insurance for travel can come very handy. 

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What is an Essential Travel Kit?

Carrying a medical kit with you while travelling is a sensible thing to do for emergencies never knock on your door and warn you in advance.

A health kit gives you instant relief in a medical emergency or non-emergency situation. By the time you make arrangements for non emergency medical transportation, the drugs in the kit can give some relief, and keep the situation in control. The need for a kit is very critical when travelling abroad as the drugs there might be different and language might be a barrier.

1. Why do I need a kit?

A well packed kit will be able to provide you protection against common illnesses, minor injuries and will be able to keep present medical conditions in control.

2. What should I pack?

Before we come to the medicines it is essential to pack the basics in the kit. Also read about a first aid crash course before you actually travel.

1. Bandages in all sizes and a good adhesive tape.
2.  A sanitizer that is alcohol based.
3.  A lot of moist pads for cleaning wounds, preferably alcohol or iodine based.
4. Mole skins or pads for blisters.
5.  Disposable gloves made of vinyl.
6. Gauze and a pair of scissors to cut it.
7.  Packets of ORS
8.  A precise thermometer

3. Essential Medications

Inform your doctor about your travel plans and discuss the medication with him in detail. Have complete clarity about the dosage and other care instructions. Always carry a few extras , as it might take rime to arrange for non emergency medical transportation, if you want to return home.

1. Carry your prescription medicines and the prescription with it..
2. A cream that includes 1% hydrocortisone for skin rashes and bug bites.
3. Medication for allergies and motion sickness.
4. Medicine for fever and a safe pain killer.
5. If you use needles carry enough for the trip and some extras too

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What is Medical Evacuation and What You Need To Know?

An air medical evacuation is a situation that requires smart decision making and perfect logistics in place.

It is very important to understand the seriousness of a medical evacuation. There are many processes that work in close coordination in order to make it a success. In other words saving the life of a patient is the prime objective of a medical evacuation.

1. What does it mean?

A medical evacuation or a medivac basically means the transfer of a patient from one hospital to another for treatment. If you break a leg, do not expect to be evacuated to a hospital.

2. What is the Criterion?

A medical evacuation takes place when the present hospital is not competent enough to cater to the needs of the patient. It is undertaken to provide better inpatient care to a patient who is in a serious medical condition.

3. Provide Instant Relief and Care

Sometimes international medical evacuation becomes the need of the hour, if the patient in question is in a region where medical facilities and equipments are limited. In these cases a patient is transferred from a hospital that is inadequate to a better care facility.

4. What is the POA?

Medical evacuation is generally undertaken with the help of an air ambulance. Or a small jet equipped for such situations. You won’t see your regular seats and other conveniences inside this craft. It is an ambulance that flies. The patient is assumed to be in a very serious condition and needs to be transported on a stretcher. A nurse or an attending doctor accompanies him or her in the ride.

5. The Infrastructure

These planes are small and besides the patient and the nurse there’s room for an additional person only. The important thing to remember is that the lighter the plane the faster it will reach its destination.

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Medical Repatriation Services from SentinelMED

SentinelMED will now be providing long distance repatriation services to domestic and international patients.

Patients looking for better medical travel services stand to benefit the services of a travel medical assistance company like SentinelMED. This will especially benefit those patients whose insurance cover is not valid outside the United States.

Let’s look at these services in details –

1.Help in Foreign Land

While travelling abroad if you meet with an accident and need medical aid, SentinelMed will be able to provide transportation for you to return home.

2.Years Of Expertise

The boards of directors of SentileMed have over two decades of experience, in medical travel facilities. They have extensive experience in civil and military aviation and have a hands on approach to all situations.

3.New Repatriation Wing

The company has launched an independent Repartition wing. It will solely focus on the needs of US citizens who are looking to travel outside the country for better medical treatment.

4.Multilingual Support Staff

The team at SentinelMED is multilingual and can provide superior care and assistance to patients. They can take care of all travel arrangements for the patient, custom designed to serve his needs.

5.Highly Experienced Team

Medical repartition is a step by process that involves lost of complex stages. The team at SentinelMED has been handling tough conditions for many years and is highly skilled to execute every mission successfully. The team of commercial flight medical escorts is fully trained to handle any kind of situation and take decisions swiftly.

6.Top reviews

The customer satisfaction level at SentinelMED is very high. Most customers have gone home with a satisfying experience to narrate to their friends and family. The company has a solid reputation when it comes to giving sound medical advice, assistance in travel. Their bed to bed gets great reviews from all the patients who have availed it. 

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How to Make Arrangements for Medical Transport

Medical transportation can be required in various situations. An injury, a heart attack or any other medical emergency calls for the services of a professional travel medical assistance company.

The moment there is a medical emergency, the first thing that comes to mind is an ambulance. They are the most apt mode of transport in a medical emergency. Besides calling the emergency services, you can also hire the services of a medical transport provider. Follow the instructions –

1. Call your family doctor or your local hospital and make them aware of your medical condition.

2. The medics who will receive your call will be able to assess the situation and send staff and equipment accordingly. They are the best judge for the needs of the patient at that hour.

3. Ensure beforehand that you have insurance cover to take care of your any unprecedented medical transport needs.

4. Be smart and keep your insurance details handy as the medical transport will ask for them.

5. If the need arises an air ambulance should be hired, especially if the patient is very critical and the present hospital is not equipped to deal with the situation. The services of a flight medical escort can also be requested, to ensure that the patient is monitored around the clock.

6. The most ideal method to arrange for an air ambulance is by getting it recommended by the local physician. They will be able to advise you on the best transportation services and about tie ups with good hospitals.

7. If the medic team feels that there is no time to hire an air ambulance, a helicopter should be hired. The local hospital will know exactly whose services to call and where. Schedule a time and location at the earliest and keep the logistics handover ready. 

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