ABSTRACT
Patients transported by aeromedical services may be any age – adults, elderly, children, and neonates. Aeromedical transport is also indicated in those situations where the personnel or equipment needs of the patient cannot be met by local transport agencies but may be accomplished by an aeromedical transport service. All aeromedical transport systems must establish utilization audit procedures that include both prospective screening and retrospective review of all assignments. A resource often overlooked in discussions of aeromedical transport is that offered by commercial airlines around the world. All aeromedical transport systems must establish utilization audit procedures that include both prospective screening and retrospective review of all assignments. The simple fact that the patient contacts an air ambulance service does not mean that he requires transport by dedicated air ambulance. In many cases, it may be easier, more cost-effective, and pose no additional risk to the patient to be transported with a medical escort on a scheduled carrier.
