Consider Safety First When Choosing an Air Ambulance
Times of stress often leave people feeling drained and unable to
think clearly. When you or a loved one are suffering from medical
conditions, stress levels are high. It is important to think of safety
first when deciding on which air ambulance company to use. Here are some
suggestions to help you put safety first in the decision.
Don't let
the stress and circumstances cloud your mind. Research the air ambulance
service thoroughly before making the decision to use their services. Learn
about the company and their history. Find out what certifications the
pilot and flight crew must possess. Do the pilot and other crew members
meet all FAA requirements and certifications? Is the pilot required to
have flight-simulator training? If so, how often.
Some companies
will permit only a single pilot to fly the aircraft. Although this is not
deemed unsafe, it is a good idea to fly with an air ambulance service that
offers two pilots in the cockpit.
Inexperienced pilots may not have
the hours and background to safely transport patients on a medical
mission. Locate an air ambulance company that uses pilots solely dedicated
to medical missions that require numerous hours of flight time.
Ask
about the company's safety record. Although most companies who offer air
ambulance services have excellent safety records, you can never be so
sure. Find out for yourself. Do your homework to make sure the company
follows the strictest guidelines in the industry.
Find out if the
air ambulance company is a member of CAMTS. This means that the company is
certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport
Services. Membership varies throughout the industry, but with no federal
standards in place, it is a way to be certain that minimum competency and
safety standards are being met. To receive certification, the company
commits to being evaluated on educational standards, safety, equipment,
staffing, maintenance, Communication, and administration.
When
considering an air ambulance transportation service, find out if the
company employs a medical director. This person should be a licensed
physician trained in all the areas of critical care and emergency
treatment. This person should be available for consultation during a
transport if questions should arise. Also, to encourage quality control,
this individual will review the circumstances of the transport to ensure
that all medical protocols were followed correctly.
This person
oversees the training of medical staff and is responsible for the actions
of the medical team during the transport. A company with such a person on
staff has a lot at stake, so quality and standards will be high in such a
case.
How many medical professionals accompany the patient during
transport? In many situations, an air ambulance service may only send out
one medically trained person on each flight. In some instances, this is
safe for patients, but if an emergency should occur, it is best to have a
minimum of two medically trained personnel on hand to completely handle
the emergency situation. The trained staff should have experience in
emergency treatment and critical care. In specialized cases, more members
should accompany a patient and the number of the team increases. This is
true in cases that require a respiratory therapist, for
example.
Investigating air ambulance services may seem overwhelming
at the time, but knowing that the patient's needs should come first is
important. Safety of the patient is evident in companies that strive for
excellence. Check out the air ambulance company and their safety record
for an indication of the company's quality and level of experience before
making the final decision.
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