Safety first

摘要

Coronavirus continues to overwhelm health systems in many parts of the globe, requiring emergency relocation of patients at an acute stage of illness. Now more than ever there is a need for fast, safe and efficient patient transport. But such journeys don't come cheap, with a typical trip from the US to the UK costing around £50,000 and transfers from the Far East to Europe charged at more than £80,000. Prices for so-called lifeguard flights depend on the aircraft type, number of medical personnel required, landing fees and the distance ground ambulances need to travel. Both fixed-wing and rotary air ambulances can be used, depending on the distance. Transporting a highly contagious patient requires meticulous planning and is a labour-intensive and time-consuming operation. Unless an isolation stretcher is used, aircraft configured for medical evacuation (medevac) missions must be disinfected, which can take up to a day, with significant financial implications.