Many travelers want medical assistance while traveling but do not need the urgency of an air ambulance. In those cases, a medical escort like Flying Angels provides a safe and efficient solution. Medical escorts, often flight nurses, travel with patients on commercial flights to ensure they receive professional care throughout their journey.
Providing a medical escort is a crucial part of non-emergency medical transport (NEMT), helping patients travel comfortably and securely between destinations. They provide patients with high-quality medical care, as well as peace of mind.
A flight nurse serving as a medical escort is a highly trained healthcare professional who specializes in providing in-flight medical care. These nurses are skilled in managing patients with various medical conditions, ensuring their well-being during travel. While commercial airlines can accommodate some medical needs, they are not equipped to provide continuous medical monitoring — this is where medical transport and flight nurses come in.
What Does a Flight Nurse Do?
A flight nurse’s responsibilities as a medical escort include the following.
Pre-Flight Medical Assessment. Before traveling, a flight nurse reviews the patient’s medical history and current condition. Coordination with the patient’s primary physician may be necessary to assess special medical needs.
Logistical Coordination. A flight nurse works with airline personnel to arrange seating accommodations, oxygen, or other medical equipment required during the flight. This process ensures compliance with airline policies and medical guidelines.
Assistance During Transfers. Patients needing medical assistance may require help getting to and from the airport, navigating security, and boarding the aircraft. A flight nurse ensures these transitions are smooth and stress-free.
Continuous In-Flight Care. During the flight, the nurse monitors the patient’s vitals, administers medications as needed, and provides care tailored to their medical condition. Whether managing pain, oxygen levels or mobility needs, the flight nurse ensures the patient remains stable and comfortable.
Emergency Response. While medical escorts serve non-emergency patients, unforeseen health issues can arise mid-flight. Flight nurses are trained to provide medical care at high altitudes. Nurses from Flying Angels also have experience in ICU and/or emergency room care settings.
Post-Flight Assistance. Upon arrival, the flight nurse ensures a seamless transition, whether to a waiting family member, a healthcare facility, or ground transportation to the patient’s destination.
The Importance of Professional Medical Escorts
Many people benefit from the work of medical escorts. They include seniors who require assistance while traveling, including when they relocate to a new home. Those recovering from a surgery also benefit from traveling with flight nurses, as do those with chronic conditions who may have difficulty traveling on their own.
Medical escorts also provide a good alternative to air ambulances. While air ambulances and NEMT companies provide medical care, medical escorts differ from air ambulances in key ways.
- Non-Emergency Focus. Medical escorts are for stable patients who require assistance, not for those needing critical care transport.
- Commercial Flight Travel. Unlike air ambulances, which use private medical jets, medical escorts accompany patients on regular commercial airlines.
- Cost-Effective Option. Since patients fly on standard commercial flights rather than a private aircraft with specialized medical equipment, medical escort services are significantly more affordable than air ambulances.
Flight nurses offering medical escort services play a vital role in bridging the gap between independent travel and emergency medical transport. Their expertise allows patients to travel safely, whether for medical procedures, family visits, or relocation. By ensuring proper medical care throughout the journey, flight nurses provide peace of mind to patients and their families.
For those in need of safe and comfortable air travel with medical assistance, medical escort services offer a reliable, professional, and cost-effective alternative. Whether traveling domestically or internationally, patients can count on experienced flight nurses to provide the care they need every step of the way.