by Flying Angels Editorial Team | News & Resources
The idea of patient advocacy has been around for many years. In the past, a patient advocate usually meant a member of the family, a good friend or perhaps a clergyman or pastor.
The idea is to have a person who advocates on your behalf with doctors, nurses and other medical staff.
Family members, friends and others can still fulfill this role. However, it long ago became a position held by many medical professionals.
Get Help Leaving the Hospital After Discharge
What Does A Patient Advocate Do
Most associate professional patient advocates with hospital stays. Advocates in those positions do offer a good example of the fundamental services that an advocate provides for a patient.
For example, they closely monitor the patient’s well-being, both physical and emotional, and give them an opportunity to discuss those issues. A patient advocate acts as a liaison between the patient and medical staff.
In general, they help cut through red tape and get patients what they need. They act as a supporter, promoter and spokesperson. It’s a key position to help people get better medical care, and it leads to better patient outcomes.
In Medical Transport
Patient advocates also play a role in medical transport. Usually the job is much more broad and complex than those who work in hospitals.
In medical transport, the patient advocate is a flight nurse, such as those on staff with Flying Angels. They are trained in emergency room work. They know how to handle medical treatment, even at 35,000 feet. They also play a key role as an advocate.
Medical Transportation Options Explained
A flight nurse works with disabled patients, ensuring they have adequate transport to and from the airport. In the airport itself, they make sure that patients have the services they need to make them as comfortable as possible through the boarding procedure.
During the flight, the patient advocate works with the flight crew. They make sure patients have the space they need. They also carry the medications they need and work with the flight crew for anything additional they might require in flight.
They are by the patient’s side throughout the entire experience. And because of their training and experience, they make the entire process that much easier for patients as well as their family.
Flight Nurse Duties On A Commercial Airline
Why You Need One
As the above shows, having a patient advocate provides a great deal of comfort for those who feel they will need assistance while flying.
This can include those flying for medical treatment in a faraway city. But it also includes those who simply are traveling for a fun vacation or to visit family. If they feel they will need assistance, a patient advocate is the perfect solution to their needs and a Flight Coordinator can help organize all your travel arrangements in advance.
How Does a Flight Coordinator Help?
by Flying Angels Editorial Team | News & Resources
Those who have become a medical escort take on a job that comes with many responsibilities and a great deal of pressure. But for those with the proper training and right kind of experience and personality, it’s a rewarding field to enter.
What Does a Medical Escort Do?
Medical escorts are highly trained, experienced nurses who travel with patients, typically on a commercial flight. In the case of Flying Angels, which specializes in medical transport, all flight nurses have years of experience working in emergency rooms and acute care.
Medical escorts can also work for emergency services. For example, they accompany people from the scene of an accident or a natural disaster, ensuring they remain stable until arriving at a hospital. But, typically, most medical escorts work in the non-emergency medical transport field.
In either case, the job can be daunting, as medical escorts typically travel alone with a sick or injured patient at 35,000 feet.
Job Duties of Medical Escorts
A medical escort’s job is complex. In a non-emergency situation, they may travel with patients from their home to the airport. They then stay with them as they get through the airport to their gate, working with airport staff to make the journey as easy as possible. That includes issues such as early boarding and access to comfortable lounges if a long wait is required. They also assist in disembarking from the plane when they arrive at their destination.
The most critical component of the job is during air travel. Here, medical escorts take on the sole responsibility of monitoring and maintaining their patient’s health. They manage the administration of any medications and assist patients with issues such as eating or going to the bathroom.
All this requires experience and skill in handling any medical situation or emergency that may arise. They also must have expertise in providing medical care at high altitudes and carry whatever medical equipment and medication a patient might need as they fly.
Education Needed for Medical Escorts
Medical escorts are expected to have at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Such programs include coursework in physical and social sciences, as well as critical thinking and communication. Medical escorts also must have the leadership abilities to take charge and manage the patient’s situation throughout the travel process.
All medical escorts must have Registered nursing (RN) license to practice.
There also are certificates that can be earned to demonstrate the knowledge and skill needed to work as a medical escort. For example, medical escorts can earn a Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) designation from the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. The Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association offers guidance in earning certification and other issues surrounding medical escorts.
Experience is the Key
For medical escorts, the real key to success is both the education and certifications listed above, as well as a wealth of experience.
Typically, a medical escort requires at least three years of experience working in an intensive care unit or emergency room. In the case of Flying Angels, five years of experience are required.
Such experience is necessary to become a qualified, trusted medical escort. Nurses who work in acute care learn critical thinking skills, how to handle many patients, improve their triage skills and hone their ability to make good assessments and decisions in a fast-paced environment.
Becoming a medical escort is both a challenging and rewarding experience. It’s the perfect job for trained experts who want to use their professional talents to provide medical assistance and support for those who need it when traveling.
by Dan McCormick
Frequently Asked Questions With The Answers ; What is Flying Angels? Flying Angels is a medical travel service that provides critical care registered nurses to escort patients on commercial aircraft around the country and around the world. What do we do? We...
by Flying Angels Editorial Team | News & Resources
Travel may have seemed like an impossible dream for those with disabilities not that long ago. But today, disabled travel on commercial airlines is easier than ever.
Disabled Travel Tips
From helpful airlines to destinations that have worked hard to make accommodations and sightseeing spots accessible to those with disabilities, there’s never been a better time for disabled travel.
Many of the tasks below are handled by a professional flight coordinator for those who use medical transport services. With years of experience working with airlines and others in the travel industry, Flying Angels has the expertise to make the trip smooth and comfortable. Here are some useful tips If you choose to handle the travel plans on your own.
Helpful Airlines
By calling ahead, airlines can make your visit to the airport for disabled travel much easier. In some cases, an airline will dispatch an employee to meet you and assist you throughout your trip through the airport. That can include offering a wheelchair and help when traveling through security. Just be sure to find out if there is an extra charge for this service – many airlines will do it for free.
Accessible Hotels
As with the airlines, most hotels at all price ranges have made things easier for disabled travel. Again, it’s advisable to call them in advance and let them know if you will need any special services. These can include booking you in a room that is built for use with a wheelchair. This also can include room service beyond the usual hours.
Tour Groups
Some tour groups now focus on offering services for disabled travel. That can make the complexities of getting around a foreign city that much easier. These tour groups can range from African safaris to visits to South America, Europe and Asia. You’ll want to ensure that the guide is a professional with training in working with the disabled. You’ll also want to know in advance the exact route of the tour and whether it will be 100% disabled travel or mixed with able-bodied tourists.
Work with a Service
An NEMT service such as Flying Angels specializes in making travel for those with disabilities as easy as possible. In addition to working with hotels and airlines, they also provide flight nurses who can attend to your needs while in transit. They provide expert medical care, relieve you of the stress of planning everything yourself and give you the peace of mind of having an experienced, trained medical professional with you throughout the flight.
Keeping these tips in mind can lead to a fantastic trip for you and your loved ones. The possibility of seeing the world or visiting family in faraway places is greater than ever.
by Flying Angels Editorial Team | News & Resources
Air travel is useful in many situations and one that is increasingly in demand. An Air Ambulance Alternative for aging parents helps get them to their destination safely.
If you have an older parent who is beginning to struggle with mobility, you’re part of a growing demographic in the United States. As of the 2020 Census, about 1 in 6 people, or 16.8% of the U.S. population, were 65 and over, highlighting the significant aging of the population. This increase is driven by the aging baby boomers, with projections suggesting a continued rise in the senior population.
What Is An Air Ambulance Alternative?
More and more children face issues on how to provide assistance to their aging parents. Many parents are still able to take care of their day-to-day lives in their homes. But commercial airline transportation increasingly becomes an issue for aging parents.
For those faced with this issue, it’s comforting to have a service available that provides professionals who have expertise in transportation arrangements and providing medical services.
Here are some of the areas that an air ambulance alternative company such as Flying Angels can support families who requires assistance for aging parents.
Medical Appointments
Many Americans miss medical appointments simply because they do not have the ability to get to the doctor’s office. An NEMT company can handle that task. Flying Angels especially focuses on the arrangements needed for air travel to reach long distance appointments.
Moving Parents
This is one of the most common issues faced by the children of aging parents. Older individuals often develop conditions such as dementia or physical disabilities that require transportation to appointments. Facing that situation, children will often decide to move their parents closer to where they live.
That is a wise move, but it requires complex medical transport plans. It also goes smoother with qualified medical personnel involved. Flying Angels handles all the travel arrangements and provides an experienced flight nurse for the trip. They manage all the medical needs during a trip and ensures they arrive safely at their destination.
Vacations
In some cases, family gatherings happen far from where the aging parents live. Air Ambulance Alternative services can get them to their destination both on time and safely. With Flying Angels, services also are provided to Hawaii and internationally. Parents don’t need to miss out on family vacations and with the proper planning, this service can prove invaluable.
Getting Back Home
This actually applies to people of all ages. But it can provide special comfort to those with parents who are still able to travel. Flying Angels, with contacts around the world, has the ability to get people back to the United States if they are injured or have a medical emergency while traveling.
Understanding the Scope of Services
When considering an Air Ambulance Alternative for your aging parents, it’s essential to understand the full scope of services provided. This service is not just about transportation; it’s about ensuring a safe, comfortable, and medically supervised journey for your loved ones. Whether it’s a trip for a special family occasion or a necessary medical appointment, the service tailors its approach to meet the specific needs of the elderly.
The Importance of Advanced Planning
Advanced planning plays a critical role in utilizing an Air Ambulance Alternative service effectively. By coordinating with the service provider ahead of time, you can ensure that all medical and logistical needs are meticulously mapped out. This planning includes detailing the medical history and requirements of the senior, their mobility limitations, and any special accommodations they might need during the journey. Such proactive planning not only ensures a smoother experience but also provides peace of mind for the family and the individual.
Comprehensive Support Beyond Transportation
The service extends beyond mere transportation; it offers comprehensive support throughout the journey. This includes pre-flight health assessments, in-flight medical care, and assistance with all aspects of the travel process, including luggage handling, boarding, and post-flight transitions. The aim is to provide a seamless experience that caters to the medical and personal needs of the senior, ensuring they feel supported, secure, and comfortable every step of the way.
If you’re considering travel options for yourself or your loved one, Flying Angels offers a compassionate and professional solution. Contact Flying Angels today to discuss your needs with a flight coordinator and learn how they can assist in providing a safe, comfortable journey.
