Medical air transport typically takes one-third to one-half as long as ground transport, but there are risks that come with this speedier mode of transportation. Flying can contribute to lower levels of oxygen in the body’s tissues, dehydration, blood clots, and excess noise and vibration for the patient. Cramped conditions and the skill of the medical providers on board a flight also affect a patient’s safety and comfort.
Here are some of the most common risks associated with medical air transport and what the SentinelMED team does to help mitigate them.
Risk: Lower oxygen levels during transport. Ever notice your breathing change on a flight? That’s because the concentration of oxygen falls to about 15% when flying versus 21% at sea level. For comparison purposes, the act of breathing in an airplane is like being on a mountain that is 5,000 to 6,000 feet tall. For a patient with pulmonary concerns, flying can be risky.
To mitigate this risk, our team will work with a patient’s doctors to determine if supplemental oxygen should be administered during transport. If supplemental oxygen is needed, a medical escort will be assigned to travel with the patient and administer it.
If the patient and medical escort are taking a commercial flight, our logistics professionals will inform the airline in advance and request a letter of necessity from the patient’s doctor. This will help ensure there are no hiccups during check-in or boarding.
Risk: Blood clots. Cramped conditions and sitting for hours can lead to blood clots, particularly in the legs. Flights lasting eight hours or longer pose the highest risk. Other risks for blood clots during medical air travel include obesity, some cancers, recent surgery, and being 60 or older.
To mitigate this risk, our physicians will carefully review a patient’s medical records to identify these risk factors. Our medical escorts will monitor patients for symptoms of blood clots and help them stretch, walk, and reposition themselves during travel to reduce their risk of developing clots.
Risk: Dehydration. Dehydration during a long flight can make you feel fatigued and dizzy. However, dehydration is a more serious problem for people who have heart or lung conditions, as it can affect blood pressure and worsen their symptoms.
To mitigate this risk, we can assign medical escorts to travel with patients throughout a medical air transport to monitor their health and provide care as needed.
Risk: Noise and vibrations. Experienced travelers know that noise and vibrations are unavoidable with air travel. They can also contribute to discomfort for patients who may be in pain or feeling stressed about their medical condition.
To mitigate this risk requires considerable preparation before travel and aeromedical transport expertise. Our medical professionals have this specific experience. They regularly use commercial airlines to transport patients, which are less noisy and offer a smoother experience than air ambulances, helicopters, or small jets.
Risk: Unexpected medical emergencies. Our team independently confirms that patients are stable for transport, but medical emergencies can still occur during air travel.
To mitigate this risk, our medical escorts can provide one-to-one care for a more immediate response to an emergency than what can be provided by flight attendants. Patients are paired with a medical escort based on the patient's health or medical needs, native language, and any cultural concerns, which can prevent confusion and streamline communication during an emergency.
More about SentinelMED
With decades of aeromedical experience, the SentinelMED team knows the risks associated with medical air transport and how to best avoid them. SentinelMED provides medical transportation, medical repatriation, and medical escort services to help navigate the complexities of long-distance travel for sick or injured children and adults.
The SentinelMED team understands the complexity of delivering exceptional care to patients who need assistance during travel. Please contact us to learn more about SentinelMED's services.
