If you or a family member need a complicated medical procedure, you may need to travel to a medical facility far from home. If a doctor recommends such travel, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ll need to spend at least a few hours evaluating your medical transport options. SentinelMED’s case managers do this every day. Here are the things they consider before making recommendations for patients and families.
Travel time. The length of time it takes to travel to a medical center and back again is a significant factor in evaluating medical transport options. A patient might be able to sit comfortably in a car for an hour, but not for five hours. A patient who is traveling from overseas back to the United States may require air and ground transport. SentinelMED's case managers consider total travel time and all the travel logistics involved before making a recommendation.
Comfort of the patient. Travel time and comfort often go hand-in-hand, but not always. Some patients can be transported while sitting, which makes commercial aircraft a good transport option. If a patient must be transported while lying down, that limits a case manager’s options. Many U.S. airlines do not offer commercial stretcher services. If a patient needs a stretcher service, transport by chartered airplane, air ambulance, or ground ambulance may be necessary.
Safety. All travelers face the risk of blood clots during long-distance air travel. The risk can be even higher for patients who have recently had surgery or a serious injury. In addition, patients may need supplemental oxygen or medication while traveling. Depending on a patient's needs, a case manager may recommend that the patient travel with a medical escort. SentinelMED's medical escorts have emergency and intensive care training and can assist with a patient's health care needs during transport.
Availability of treatment. If a patient becomes sick or injured while overseas, quality treatment may be available at a nearby city – or not. Our case managers work with our medical team to review the type and quality of care available at a patient’s location. They balance that information with available medical transport options to make the best decision for the patient’s health.
Cost. The cost of medical transport options varies widely. Transport by air ambulance, often a helicopter, can easily top $20,000 for a relatively short flight. Ground transport is a cheaper option, but not when it comes to transporting people long distances. Transport by commercial flight, with a medical escort, can be a cost-effective alternative, depending on a patient’s medical needs. You may have concerns about COVID-19 exposure during commercial air travel. However, researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have found a low risk of COVID-19 transmission on aircraft if face masks are required and worn.
The patient’s wishes. Patients often have their own concerns about medical transport options, including cost or fear of traveling by helicopter or airplane. SentinelMED's case managers consider patient and family concerns before making transport recommendations.
Medical Transport Options from SentinelMED
SentinelMED can coordinate a range of medical transport options, including domestic and international medical transport, evacuation, and repatriation services, depending on a patient’s unique needs.
Our team can also arrange for medical escorts to accompany travelers and help them navigate the complexities of long-distance travel on commercial airlines. Our escorts are physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and paramedics matched to patients according to their specific medical, cultural, native language, or religious needs.
The SentinelMED team understands the complexity of delivering exceptional care to patients who need assistance during travel. Please contact us to learn more about the services that SentinelMED offers or its staff.
