For people who have a chronic medical illness, long-distance travel can pose extra challenges. A medical transportation service may be needed if their symptoms worsen while traveling. But with some careful preparation and the help of their physician, many people can enjoy the adventure of exploring new countries or visiting with friends and family who live outside the United States.
Here is a list of things to consider and gather when preparing for long-distance travel:
- Detailed health history. Travelers can ask their doctors to help them prepare a health history that includes a medical diagnosis of their chronic health condition, physician contact information, medicine dosages, history of any allergic reactions, and emergency contact information. Depending on their destination, travelers may want to have this information translated into the language of the country there are visiting. Health history documents should be laminated or put in a protective sleeve if possible.
- Medicine and supplies. Travelers should pack enough medicine or supplies for the duration of their trip plus a few extra in case of delays. All medicine and supplies should be in their original packaging and packed in carry-on bags; however, travelers should check with their airlines about their policies on traveling with syringes. Medicine should be taken according to the time of the last dose. Travelers should also carry copies of their prescriptions with them in their carry-on bags.
- Other medicines or vaccinations. People who have chronic illnesses should visit a medical travel clinic at least six weeks before traveling, if possible. The travel clinic doctor will be able to discuss and administer any recommended vaccines, prescribe medicine that may be recommended for the area a traveler is visiting, and discuss any concerns about drug interactions with those medicines and others the patient may take regularly.
- Travel insurance. There are several different types of travel insurance and a range of options to choose from. When selecting coverage, a traveler should always read the fine print to be sure that the policy would cover his or her medical needs.
- Medical alert jewelry. Bracelets and necklaces that are easy to see can provide critical information in the event of an emergency.
- Medical kit. In addition to medicine and supplies, travelers should pack a medical kit with necessities such as tweezers, band aids and bandages, antiseptic wipes, cough drops and hydrocortisone cream. The CDC offers a more complete list of items to include in a medical kit on its website.
- Medical transportation services. In making preparations, travelers with chronic medical conditions should identify one or more medical transportation services In case they need state-to-state or international medical transport in order to return home. They should share this information and a trip itinerary with contact information with family members or close friends.
When Medical Transportation Service is Necessary
With careful preparation and planning, most people who have chronic illnesses should be able to manage the rigors of long-distance travel. However, even the most-prepared travelers may struggle with changes in diet or sleep patterns that can cause a chronic condition to flare, or experience an unrelated illness or accident severe enough to interrupt their plans.
Travelers who cannot receive the treatment they need to recover while away from home may require medical transport to a nearby medical facility or to the medical center nearest their home. SentinelMED provides medical transportation, medical repatriation, and medical escort services to help navigate the complexities of long-distance travel for sick or elderly patients.
The SentinelMED team can arrange door-to-door care and transportation for patients from discharge at a hospital or medical facility to a receiving health care facility, or to a family member who is able to assume their care. For patients who do not have a family member or friend to travel with them, a medical escort can make it possible to travel home in comfort.
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.
