Air ambulance operations are always critical. Among the critical operational aspects of a medical flight is handing off of the patient between medical flights and ground ambulances. If not done properly, it can lead to increased cost, loss of time and unnecessary lock down of valuable human resources. The efficiency at this juncture is all the more important because, usually, people from two different organizations have to come together to ensure a seamless transfer of the patient. In the event that each company has its own set of guidelines and procedures, things can get a bit complicated. It is for this reason that the Centers for Disease Control suggests a common methodology. Here we take a brief look at it.
The Planning of Hand Off between Ground and Air Ambulance
- Plan is the first thing that is to be put in place. It covers notifying each other of all developments. Beyond the ambulance companies, other organizations such as public health authority and law enforcement agency too might need to be notified.
- Communication of important aspects is another issue that must be taken care of – Does the patient have an infection? Is he or she ambulatory? Is there any special medical need? These are some of the questions, the answers to which both parties must have for communication to be effective.
- Location should be carefully chosen. It is not always about the nearest one. The patient may be a carrier of a highly infective virus. In a situation like this, the landing location should be such that the people in general can be easily isolated. The staff too must be aware that proper care should be taken to keep them from harm’s way. Adverse weather conditions are also important determinants of location. Media too can be an issue when it is a matter of national concern and can lead to a panic-like situation if information flow is not controlled.
There are several other aspects that must be taken care of. We will continue to focus on this subject in the coming days.
