What does repatriation really mean to patients in the air and medical field? Repatriation is the transfer of a person to their country of origin. While the term could refer to any person regardless of the health status, repatriation is often a euphemism for the shipping of a body back to the person’s home country for burial.
Last year, a home-sick cancer-stricken OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) has undergone repatriation. The patient wants to go home from Taipei last December to be with his family in the special holiday. He is in a Nasogastric Tube (NG tube). NG is a tube that is passed through the nose and down through the nasopharynx and esophagus into the stomach. Flying commercial towards home in this condition makes his journey very uncomfortable. It is nearly impossible with the many medical clearances he has to provide the commercial airline.
Airgurus provide the patient in his best interest and on time, a medically equipped private plane from Taipei to home in Negros Occidental.
The number one air ambulance provider and repatriation provider, Airgurus Ltd. Co., repatriates hundreds of sick and injured patient each year to and from Manila. Its’ 24/7 alert center receives assistance requests and begins to get details about the patient and his/her situation. Our medical experts then make a decision based on the patient’s hospital records or doctor’s medical reports. Assessment is done for the medical team to know how to treat the patient properly. Also the care of the patient’s location and access to ground assistance comes to mind.
Each case is in carefully evaluation. The basis is individual on the risk in transport is judge against the benefit of repatriation. This means, the company has to carefully gauge whether flying home would put the patient at great risk if they remained abroad.
Airgurus provides an organized repatriation service which will need the following documents in order to execute the procedure:
MEDICAL
Full Patient’s Background – Documents that lead to his/her hospital admission.
Patient’s Medical History – The patient’s past and present which may contain relevant information bearing on their health past, present, and future but can cause complications during transport.
Current Clinical Diagnosis & Medical Reports – These are updated documents made on the basis of medical signs and patient-reported symptoms such as X-ray, laboratory, scans, etc.
Current Treatment Reports – These are what the current doctor’s advise for treatment such as medications, drugs and dosage.
Details of Special Equipment – A report on what special medical equipment that the patient will require during transport such as ventilation and monitoring equipment.
LOGISTIC REQUIREMENTS
Patient’s Passport & Visa – These documents must be physically with the patient.
Name, address and personal contact details at both origin and destination hospitals.
Name, address and personal contact details of the person in case of emergency.
When the patient is in clearance for transport, the customer then signs the contract. Airgurus’ ground control team then assembles the best professional medical and flight crew. They will then be on a briefing with the logistic and medical treatment designed around the specific needs of the patient.
Airgurus is very confident in their ability to safely transport the vast majority of patients. For repatriation, contact our 24/7 alert center: +632 6248274 | +632 2749758 | +63 925 8892985 and +63 917 8857911. You may also email at info@airgurus.ph.
Do you think is possible to have an ICU treatment in an air ambulance?
Illnesses like heart attacks, internal bleeding, or seizures require close medical observation and monitoring. Doctors and nurses can closely take care of the patients who are suffering from these illnesses through ICU (Intensive Care Unit). However, ICU patients needing transport to another medical facility requires medical support. Air ambulance service is a transport mode that gives aid to these people who are in need of ICU treatment. The question is: how does it fair with ICU’s that can be found in hospitals?
Performance
It is an assurance that patients who are in ICU are being monitored closely. Major changes in the patient’s conditions or procedures are being kept and updated. ICU staff includes doctors that run tests in order to ensure patients’ survival from the serious illness. Most of all, nurses provide round-the-clock care such as giving the patient food and fluids that are within doctors’ advise.
On the other hand, air ambulances service can handle critical care patients with their medical tools. It provides an equal service in terms of technology and healthcare with hospital-based ICUs. It is a great medical transport solution in today’s mobile society.
Equipment
Patients are being aid with tools in ICU. There are tools that monitor their heart, and respiratory rate. In addition, there are ventilators that assist some patients with their breathing during comas. Patients may have other equipment in their room. However, it depends on their condition. All these tools make sure that patients are properly cared.
Some believe that ICUs within air ambulances can have the same service with hospital ICUs. Air ambulances have digital ventilators in their equipment. It is appropriate for all levels of patient care as it brings ICU outside of the confines of the hospital.
Is ICU Treatment Possible?
All of these are possible with Airgurus. First of all, it is the only full time air ambulance company in the Philippines that owns and operate their own aircraft. Also, our aircraft are like flying ICU’s equipped with GE iVent 201 Digital Ventilator. In addition, it is one of the most versatile ICU ventilators on the market. Furthermore, its’ standard features include the latest modes of ventilation for the patient’s bedside as well as transport to another point of care.
For more info, please call +632 6248274 | +632 2749758 | +63 925 8892985 and +63 917 8857911 or email info@airgurus.ph.
Oxygen therapy is the treatment that provides the patient with extra oxygen. It is very common for medical emergencies to check first the respiratory system of a patient. It is because oxygen is a key source of life for every person.
Many hospitals and ambulances have many oxygen gas tanks on stand-by. Fire trucks and aircrafts have their own oxygen gas tanks and masks on ready whenever unforeseen emergencies will happen. Air ambulance, on the other hand, does not fall behind. It is also equipped with oxygen tools needed for emergencies.
Emergency and Traumatic Situations
People who experienced natural disasters sometimes developed a kind of trauma in their lives. Air ambulances are prepared to give aid to these situations. These oxygen tools help those people with their breathing.
Medical emergencies like heart and asthma attacks are also in need of these tools. This will not only delay health complications but can also help save that person’s life.
Non-Emergency Situations
People travelling with medical conditions require transportation that can give them aid. It is beneficial for them when they have to endure long travels. Hence, air ambulance service is a great transport solution for patients with respiratory health problems.
An effective air transport provides swift response to medical emergencies. Airgurus can be your top choice for your emergency and non-emergency cases. We are the only full time air ambulance company in the Philippines that owns and operate their own aircraft.
Traffic and outdated transportation vehicles are some of the reasons why off-the-ground medical operations are much more efficient. Consequently, you have to plan ahead. Most of all, you must choose the best air ambulance service when these times occur.
Here are the key factors that you need to consider when choosing an air ambulance service:
Credibility of the Air Ambulance Service
You have to remember that not all air ambulance services are the same. Other service providers do not have the proper certifications (CAAP, CAB) to perform medical and off the ground operations. Also, it is ideal that you take these in mind before choosing your air ambulance service.
Furthermore, safety is an important factor in choosing an air ambulance service. You must take in mind the past operations of the service provider that you choose. Do a background check if their operations were successful.
State-of-the-Art Equipment
Air ambulance services should have the right medical and air transport equipment. Therefore, some of the important medical instruments that you need for an air ambulance provider are the following:
Parapac 310+
Defibrillator
Digital Ventilator
Medical emergencies can happen on any given day. It is highly suggested that you check your air ambulance provider if they have alert tools and warning systems. Most of all, these are the relevant tools when sudden emergencies happen.
Trained Personnel
Lastly, the personnel is the most important factor for every air ambulance services. Their flight crew and staff should have training and should be adept at flight devices. Make sure that their ground support has an experience and knowledge about medical emergencies. They will be the ones who will provide aid to those patients that need to be transported to hospitals that do not have landing zones.
These factors make air ambulance services credible and trustworthy. It makes medical emergencies to be best conducted by air transport services like Airgurus. Airgurus is the only full-time air ambulance company in the Philippines that own and operates their own aircraft. Our aircraft is provided with the state of the art equipment that can cater to a wide variety of emergency cases at any given time.
We are certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to conduct aerial operations. Our trained personnel has conducted numerous emergency situations. AirGurus ensures the quality of our work!
You may contact us at +6322749758 and +639178857911 and we assure you that we will be there for your emergency situations.
Philippines is one of the countries in the world needing more air ambulance service. The country is composed of more than 7,100 islands. Land and sea travel takes time in most cases. The need for air ambulance have increased a lot in the past 10 years. More tourist are coming in the country both for vacation and business. Philippines air ambulance service are slightly high since not all islands have airports and helicopters are mostly used. Since a lot of islands are more than 30 miles apart it is suggested and required by law to fly twin engine helicopters. This makes it even more expensive. Generally, planes are faster and cheaper to operate. With how the Philippines is made up you sometimes don’t have a choice but to use twin engine helicopters. At the end of the day life matters no matter what the cost is for most people.
With its economy booming the country is expecting the influx of foreign tourist in the coming years, Philippines air ambulance service demand is on the rise. The more people there is the more likely there will be accidents or sickness. It’s just like cars, the more cars on the roads the more accidents there is. With beautiful beaches spread across the country it’s very attractive for most foreigners. Combine it with low cost of living and the hospitality of Filipinos it’s certainly heaven for most foreigners. Some actually stay longer than expected and make the Philippines their second home.
Difference between airplanes and helicopters in Philippines air ambulance service
For those who don’t know the advantages and disadvantages between the two, let me give you the facts. First advantage of airplanes is they cruise faster compared to helicopters. They also have more cabin space and has longer range. What the helicopter lacks in speed, range and space makes up on its ability to land on almost any terrain. It does not need runways unlike airplanes. Helicopters are capable hovering and use a winch to pick up a patient. It can also land direct to a hospital helipad and avoid the traffic. Helicopters have more moving parts thats why maintenance cost is higher.
The distance is also considered when deciding what type of aircraft to use. Each type of aircraft have a certain cost effectiveness and this usually comes into play when deciding. Unless there is no airport then jets and airplanes have to take a backseat against the helicopters. Philippines air ambulance service or aviation in general is a complex business to run with a lot of variables to consider.
Possible Solutions
One of the solutions is building more airports across the country. With so many small islands in the Philippines it is not financially viable to operate many airports. Another solution is putting up more good hospitals across the country. Right now, Manila and Cebu are on top of the list followed by Davao as the only cities that have international standard of care. Hopefully with a few more dozen airports in combination with a few more good hospitals in the Philippine archipelago would bridge the gap and make it a little more affordable to ordinary people without insurance coverage. This will hopefully be seen in the next 5 to 7 years’ time based on the government’s plan to address the problem.
So, in the meantime we suggest to get an insurance with full air ambulance coverage. You’ll never know when accidents or sickness will strike.
For those who still finds insurances expensive an alternate solution is to become a member of Skyaid. It is an air ambulance membership card within the Philippines. You can choose your dates of coverage from weekly up to 5 years. There is also a good deal if you have the entire family become a member. Restrictions apply so visit the webpage to find out more.
How to reach Philippines air ambulance service
You may reach Airgurus air ambulance via email, telephone or text.
Email: info@airgurus.ph
Hotline : +63 917 8857911.
Website: airgurus.ph
For more updates, visit their Facebook and Instagram pages. Also, you can reach them out via Whatsapp, Telegram, and Viber for further inquiries.
