How to Choose the Best Air Medical Escort

There may come a time when you or a loved one will require the services of an air medical transport. This may be a trip across the county or even to another country. The immediate concern is comfort, but there are several other factors that go into choosing the right transport.

Accreditation and Safety

Before anything else can be decided, the company must be accredited for long-distance medical transport. Ask about FAA, CAMTS and IAMTCS. This matters because it means the company has met the strict standards required to operate its business. This ensures safety for you or your family member. Accreditation also shows the company is reputable.

Services Offered

The next step is to verify that the transport is equipped to deal with your specific medical circumstances. This means having the right type of aircraft for the distance and having the proper equipment on hand for the flight. A comfortable bed, oxygen and toilet facilities are the bare minimum. Keep asking questions from there.

Medical Escort

If you are moving to a new home in another state and just need minimal medical attention during the journey, a medical escort is the perfect solution. The transport company should be able to meet this need with a paramedic, nurse or doctor. In addition, the company should do the following:

• Make all of the arrangements for the entire trip

• Provide ground transportation to and from each airport

• Provide oxygen if needed

• Have licensed personnel who are trained in critical-care transport and aero-medical medicine

To qualify for a medical escort, you or your loved one must be able to transfer from a wheelchair to a plane seat and must also be able to walk with assistance.

Emergency Care

When there is an emergency situation where you need medical transport immediately, how quickly a company responds to your needs will give you an idea of its quality. The staff should be trained and prepared to handle any type of emergency situation and to handle any sort of requests in an efficient manner. Travel should be non-stop whenever possible to reduce the delay time if an emergency should arise.

Cost

This is where you need to be careful. Whether you need long-distance medical transport or just an escort, the cost can quickly add up. The best way to avoid this issue is to ask exactly what is included in the service. This will allow to plan and compensate for anything that is not covered. You should also obtain quotes from several companies to compare the services offered and the level of experience.

Reviews

When you have narrowed your list down, go online to find reviews of each one. Read all of the feedback and make a list of what the customers were not satisfied with. If possible, contact previous customers of the companies and ask them directly if they would recommend the services. Their responses should help you to make a final choice.

Hiring an air medical transport or escort is a big decision that has many different considerations. By doing research, asking questions and visiting each company in person, you can be sure that you are putting your health or that of your loved one into the right hands.