Understanding Everything You Need To Know About Commercial Medical Escorts

A commercial medical escort is a paramedic professional who accompanies a patient on a commercial flight or an ambulance in order to take care of him medically.

A patient, who needs to be transferred to a medical facility, needs a professional who can monitor him at all times and address all his needs, professionally. Accompanying family members might be able to provide the care and concern, but they are not trained to handle a medical emergency. A medical escorts needs to be hired in order to ensure that the patient reaches the medical facility safely.

1. Who Is A Commercial Medical Escort?

In very simple terms a commercial medical escort is trained flight nurse, or a physician or an in-flight paramedic whom accompanies a patent. He can of assistance to the sick traveler on a commercial flight or on air ambulance. He or she always travels with all the medical equipment required.

2. Determine The Condition Of The Patient

The medical escort can make an assessment of the medical condition of the patient and determine whether he or she is in a condition to travel by air or by ground transportation arrangements. They take a complete handover from the medical facility from where the patient is being discharged, in order to make a judgment.

3. Choose Wisely

When hiring a commercial medical escort, always do some prior research. Go for a long distance medical travel provider that has a solid reputation, experience and the best rates. They should be fully equipped to make all ground arrangements and allow the patient to focus on getting better.

4. Come Armed With Medication and Equipment

A professional commercial escort will always come armed with the right equipment and all medication that might be needed in a crisis situation. They are also fully trained to make all arrangements for oxygen while in flight.

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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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Travel Through Sea or Air: Health Advice For Medical Patients

How well your health fares during travel is largely dependent upon the type of travel medical assistance you choose. In some cases non-emergency medical transportation will suit perfectly well, but in other more serious cases, patients might need help of emergency medical travel or air ambulance services.

The popular expression “precaution is better than cure” holds good when we talk about medical travel. Travelling can have varying effects on a patient, and thus choosing the right mode of transportation becomes critical.

Here’s some tips on how to go about selecting medical transportation assistance and the several options you have.

Non Emergency Medical Transportation In Ship   

Transmission of infections or diseases can be common especially while travelling via ship because of moderate temperature and favorable conditions for microbial growth. However, some countries do have specialized standards and sanitation guidelines which must be adhered. Choose to go with reputed travel medical assistance company and make sure to take approval from your doctor before undertaking a journey.     

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Airlines

Dissimilar to ship voyages, transportation through airlines can be associated with several health concerns and a few from them are as:

Reduced oxygen levels

As the plane climbs into higher altitudes, the cabins inside develop high pressure and the supply oxygen reduces. A patient’s body will respond to these atmospheric changes differently, and also need special care to not let this have a negative impact on the patient’s health. It is generally advised that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other heart related problems should avoid traveling through airlines.

Health concerns like ear and sinus symptoms are common with air transportation, which are caused by change in air pressure and can cause severe headache and hearing problems. Some other common health concerns while traveling through airlines is blood clotting, motion sickness and jet lags.   

Choose wisely between the two options and make sure to take doctor approval in both cases. 

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