Air Ambulance Information
Understanding Air Ambulance Services:
Choosing a Service Provider
There are a lot of things to ask when you’re choosing a company to
provide your air ambulance service. While doing your investigation of a
company, you should always be made to feel comfortable with the questions
you are asking.
Reputable and fully certified air ambulance companies
have an FAA Air Carrier certificate with authorization to perform
air ambulance flights. Ask to see this documentation.
In most states, companies are required to have specific licensing for air
ambulance, and will regularly inspect the operator’s equipment, training
records, crew files, medical records, and aircraft. Request copies of all of
these files. A good air ambulance company is used to providing this
information and will not hesitate to provide it upon request.
Ask for proof of aircraft and medical malpractice insurance. On
these documents there should be a consistency of the corporate names between
documents. Again, all reputable air ambulance providers are used to
providing copies of this information and should not hesitate to furnish it
at your request.
You should not have trouble speaking with the company manager. Try to
find a company that spends time telling about the service in general, as
well as their company specifics. Don’t be afraid to ask for references from
past clients.
Ask about the logistics of the proposed flight. Who will
organize the ground transportation, and is the cost of the ground ambulance
from the departure location and to the destination included in your cost?
Will the plane’s medical crew be present from bed-to-bed transportation, or
will they meet you and release you from the plane? Most companies have a
flight nurse and flight paramedic on board for the majority of transports,
but ask if a specialist or physician is available if required.
Ask about the aircraft you will be flying in, and the duration of the
trip. You will want to be sure to know how many family members can
accompany the patient, and if there is a charge for those passengers. Also,
be aware of any luggage restrictions of extra passengers.
Perhaps the biggest question to ask when choosing a service provider is ‘How
comfortable am I with this company’s practices?’.
Did the people you spoke with make you feel comfortable, and at ease when
discussing issues about the flight?
Do you feel they understand your situation and are willing to deal with
it in a way that will give you the best care possible?
Does their attitude meet your expectations?
You want a company that is willing to give you or your family member the
bedside manner you expect from any highly trained professional. If you don’t
feel like a company can meet these expectations, than perhaps that isn’t the
company best suited for your needs.
The decision of choosing an air ambulance company is often occurring at
the same time as some difficult and emotional time in your life. The
selection of an Air Ambulance Company should not add to the stress of this
time, but ease your mind that the best care and transportation will be given
to the patient who needs it.
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