International Patient Transfers
When a patient needs to reach another medical facility or return to their home country for further treatment, we arrange transfer services. Usually with Air Ambulance flights or scheduled commercial flights with medical escort or team. Our Finnish- and English-speaking staff, with years of experience and specialised training, are well-equipped to handle even the most demanding patient transfers. Our patients range from newborns to the elderly, and we cover a wide spectrum of treated illnesses, from accidents to complex medical cases requiring intensive care.
Additional information on Patient Transfers
EMA Finland’s Medical Team is ready to be dispatched every day of the year.
+358 9431 50112
ema@ema.fi
Patient Transfers
We organize every transport and repatriation with care and attention to detail. At EMA Finland every assignment is planned with emphasis on safety and international regulations, always considering clients preferences and specific requirements. The decision, whether to use commercial flights or an Air Ambulance flight, as well as the need for assistance is based on our medical team’s recommendations. International Air Transport Association (IATA) recommendations, as well as aeromedical details and risk factors are taken into account.
On commercial flights, 1–2 nurses or a team of a nurse and a doctor usually accompany the patient. We take care of all necessary arrangements, such as wheelchair assistance, in-flight oxygen, general patient monitoring, and, if necessary, medical treatment. Some commercial flights allow patients to be transported on a stretcher in a lying position. On long-haul flights, we utilise business-class seats that can be reclined into a lie-flat position. Medical escorts are ready to intervene, if there should be any need of medical assistance or care during the flight. Atmosphere and air pressure differ from our normal everyday environment. Our medical crew is trained to work and provide quality care on the aircraft and other special environments.
For air ambulance flights, we use a specially modified private aircraft. The aircraft is equipped with stretchers, additional oxygen, and other medical equipment and devices required for the air ambulance mission. Our critical care doctors and nurses ensure the patient’s well-being during the journey and perform necessary medical procedures. In our “flying intensive care unit,” we transfer even severely ill and unstable patients, including those requiring ECMO treatment.
EMA handles all notifications to the airline related to patient transfer and ensures that everything is conducted in accordance with rules and regulations. We also arrange the ambulance transportation to and from the hospital before and after the flight. Patient transfers can also be arranged with ground ambulances or by ferries, if geographically reasonable.
Isolated Patient Transfers
All equipment and rooms where a patient has been are disinfected after each transport to prevent the spread of hospital-acquired infections. Additionally, we have the capability to transfer patients on air ambulance flights in complete isolation, for example, due to airborne infections like Covid-19.
Patient Transfer and Travel Insurance
We collaborate with several Finnish insurance companies, and EMA Finland manages assistance and repatriation services included in their travellers’ insurance. As an individual you can contact us regarding a Patient transfer if not insured or if the insurance does not cover the transfer. Together we can plan a cost-effective way to safely bring the patient back to their home country for further treatment.
