Air ambulances provide vital air medical transport for all types of patients, from emergency transport to traumatic injuries and medical conditions, to non-emergency inter-facility transports. They are an essential service, particularly in rural areas. GMI Research expects the Air Ambulance Market size in Saudi Arabia to reach $124 million by 2033. This report answers the question “when” to use air medical transport. This report describes the reasons patients utilize air medical transport, including transfer to specialty facilities and care, and post-operative transport. In addition, this report describes the procedures and required information for requesting air medical transport.
- Emergency Medical Transport
When a patient is suffering from a medical emergency and the nearest appropriate hospital is too far to reach by ground ambulance, that patient is not too far to reach by air. Air ambulances are staffed and equipped to provide care and support to patients suffering from a medical emergency, and to transport them to a more appropriate facility.
- Specialty Care
A patient suffering from a medical condition that requires care and support from a specialized facility is often a long distance from that facility. Using an air ambulance to transport that patient to the specialized facility is often faster, less stressful, and more comfortable for the patient.
- Repatriation
Patients may require medical assistance while traveling. Others may need to be transported to a medical facility nearer to their home after a procedure or an illness. Still, others may need to travel from one medical facility to another. Medical repatriation involves the transportation of patients by air to a medical facility of their choice.
- Last Hours, Most Days
Patients often prefer to spend their last hours among family and familiar surroundings. Air medical transport services facilitate the movement of patients to medical facilities of choice. Each patient is stabilized and comforted throughout the duration of the flight.
- Post-Operative Transports
Postoperative patients may require additional medical care and support in a facility other than the one in which they underwent surgery. Long distance medical transports increase the risk of complications on a patient who is still recovering.
- Evacuation and Relocation
The onset and effects of various natural processes and disasters may necessitate the evacuation of patients from a given location. Air medical transport services may facilitate evacuations to safe or more desired locations.
- Neonatal and Pediatric Transport
Children, like adults, sometimes suffer injuries or illnesses that require specialized care beyond the capabilities of local hospitals. Children require special and smaller versions of medical equipment and monitors. Pediatric air ambulance services transport patients to facilities equipped and staffed to care for children. The medical staff on these flights continually monitors and cares for children during transit.
Common Medical Emergencies Requiring Air Ambulances
Conditions that require transport by air ambulance are often time critical and life threatening. Air ambulances provide rapid access to specialized care for conditions such as:
- Cardiac arrest
- Cerebrovascular accidents