Many of our patients and patients’ family members tell us that the process of finding an air ambulance provider was very daunting. Already stressed, scared, and emotional, they had to somehow find a company that would medically care for and transport themselves or their loved one. Typically, they began their search on Google, but often found it hard to discern which air ambulance company would provide the most effective transport — and which just had nice websites.

If that’s where you’re at in the process, we’ve put together a list of 4 tips to help you choose the right air ambulance provider for yourself or your loved one.

1. Get a referral or reference: Referrals or references from satisfied customers are one way to determine that an air ambulance company is legit. Testimonials on a website are a good start, but you should also ask to speak directly to customers. Even better is a direct referral from someone you know and trust.

2. Check the company’s professional accreditation or affiliation: Legitimate air ambulance providers are usually affiliated with one or more professional organizations, like the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS). Verify the company’s affiliation by calling the organization or visiting its website. MedFlight911 air ambulance is affiliated AAMS, as well as with the National Business Aviation Association and the Case Managers Association of America.

3. Check with the Better Business Bureau: You can find out a business’s rating and research complaints against the company on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website. BBB-accredited businesses have made a commitment to trust, honesty, transparency, and integrity in their business dealings. You can see MedFlight911′s Better Business Bureau rating and accreditation information here.

4. Ask questions: When you call to speak with the representative of an air ambulance provider, they should be able to provide clear answers to questions you ask about the medical crew’s training, how you will be billed for services, what specific services will be provided, the company’s safety record, and more. If the person you’re talking with isn’t forthcoming or you can’t get the answers you need, look elsewhere.

Choosing an air ambulance provider isn’t something that most people have experience with, which can make it a daunting process. But it pays to do your research before hiring someone, just as when you’re choosing any other service provider. Most important, go with your gut – if something seems fishy, it probably is. And when you’re talking about the health and safety of a loved one, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

To find out more about MedFlight911′s air ambulance services, give us a call at 888-359-1911 or get a no-obligation air medical transport quote here.

Are you a previous MedFlight911 air ambulance client, or know someone who is? We need your help spreading the word about the services we provide! Please vote for us in Arizona Business Magazine’s 2014 Ranking Arizona poll.

It’s easy to do, takes just a minute, and will really help us out! Here’s what we need you to do:

1)      Visit http://aznow.biz/ranking-arizona

2)      Make sure the button “To Vote Search by name” is marked

3)      Type or paste MedFlight911 in the box. Hit “Enter” on your keyboard.

4)      A dropdown menu will appear. Click on “Tourism\Aircraft Charter/Rental\MedFlight911 Air Ambulance”

5)      Enter your email address

6)      Click the “Cast My Vote” button

After you cast your vote for MedFlight911, you can vote for other Arizona businesses you support, and even request to have your own business added to the list.

Voting is open for another few months, so you have plenty of time to cast your ballots – but why not do it now while you’re thinking about it? Last year, the top-ranked companies were celebrated at an awards reception at the Arizona Biltmore Resort. Winners are also highlighted in a special issue of Arizona Business Magazine.

Why vote for MedFlight911 Air Ambulance? Because we truly believe that we provide the best long-distance medical transport service in Arizona. We are committed to helping patients and their families during what is often a difficult and stressful time. We’re there every step of the way. And not to toot our own horn, but the many kind words that we’ve received from our customers lead us to believe that we’re pretty good at what we do.

As always if you need information or are interested scheduling a transport, give us a call at 888-359-1911 or get a no-obligation air ambulance quote here.

Thanks again for your support!

“There’s no tragedy in life like the death of a child. Things never get back to the way they were.”

– Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Few things in life are more devastating than losing a child. While the recent tragedies in Newtown, Conn., and Aurora, Colo., are still fresh in our minds, it’s virtually impossible for someone who hasn’t lost a child to understand the pain and grief that those families must be experiencing.

In my own career, I’ve had to respond to those kinds of scenes – situations where children have been killed – and it’s always heartbreaking. And as advanced air ambulance providers we sometimes transport children who are seriously ill and facing death. Even our seasoned medical professionals have trouble not getting emotional during those trips.

Those are some of the reasons that MedFligh911 is a big supporter of Stepping Stones of Hope, a Phoenix-based non-profit that provides support, education and care to grieving families.

There is no right or wrong way to cope with the death of a child. Everyone grieves in his or her own way, and in their own time. But if you or someone you love is struggling to cope with the death a child, these tips may help:

Ÿ  Don’t isolate yourself. For many people, grief is a lonely process, but some of that pain may be eased by turning to friends, family and support groups with whom you can talk openly about your feelings.

Ÿ  Allow yourself to give in to your emotions. Don’t worry if it makes other people uncomfortable to see you upset or angry about your loss.

Ÿ  Don’t feel that you need to put on a brave face or pretend that everything is OK. Denying your grief will not help you heal.

Ÿ  Ask for help, whether it’s from friends, family, neighbors or co-workers. There are people in your life who want to be there for you, but they may not be sure how to do that. Tell them what you need, even if it’s just something small.

Ÿ  Try using art, music, or writing to help you express and process your feelings.

Ÿ  Look for ways to honor the child that you have lost. Even small gestures, like preparing their favorite meal, can help you remember the person who is no longer there.

Ÿ  Know that you are not alone. There are others who have suffered a similar loss, and talking to them may help you move through your own grief.

Ÿ  Do something that you enjoy. Small pleasures – taking a hike, a massage, caring for animals – can help you manage your grief. Do not feel that you can never enjoy life or feel happy again. You can still find moments of happiness even while you are grieving.

If you live in the Phoenix area and are seeking additional support or resources after the loss of a child (or any loved one), I encourage you to reach out to Stepping Stones of Hope. They provide day camps for both kids and adults, outreach programs, and other support for families and individuals who are dealing with loss. We’re proud to support this organization that does so much to help grieving families understand that they are not alone.

To find out more about MedFlight911′s international air ambulance services, give us a call at 888-359-1911 or get a no-obligation air ambulance quote here.

Last year, MedFlight911 air ambulance had the honor of participating in a high-stakes air medical transport from Lviv, Ukraine, to Boston, Massachusetts. Since it has been one year since that dramatic trip, I thought I’d recap the story here, in case you missed it the first time.

The situation: We received a call from a children’s hospital in Boston. The doctor who called us explained that a terrible house fire in Lviv, Ukraine, had taken the lives of almost an entire family – grandparents, parents, and several children. Three children had survived the blaze, but they had life-threatening injuries. No hospital in their home country could offer the treatment they needed, but the members of their local community had come together to pay for the kids to travel to the U.S. to get care. Of course, we agreed to coordinate the transport.

The dilemma: A worldwide air ambulance trip is almost always more complicated than a domestic one, since you have to deal with crossing international borders, pilot duty restrictions, and other issues. In this case, the situation was even more complex because of the serious nature of the children’s injuries and severe cold on the ground in Lviv. Tragically, as we worked to finalize the details of the transport, we learned that two of the three children had died of their injuries. With that in mind, we redoubled our efforts to save the other child, an 11-year-old boy who had burns over 99.5% of his body.

The transport: After a lot of international phone calls and coordination, the trip to Ukraine got underway. In addition to two sets of pilots, we also traveled with a specially trained pediatric medical crew. Once we arrived in Ukraine, the medical team set about evaluating the boy’s condition and then getting him onto the plane – no easy feat in sub-zero temperatures with a patient in critical condition. Then, we took off for our 14-hour journey to Boston, with the patient in a medically-induced coma. Fortunately, the journey went smoothly, and our team delivered the boy to the doctors in Boston in stable condition.

The outcome: After arriving at the hospital in Boston, doctors went to work right away treating the patient’s injuries. Tragically, the young boy was not able to win the fight for his life, and he died a month after arriving in Boston.

As tragic as this story is, looking back one year later, we are incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to be involved with this very special transport.

Read the complete story:

Ÿ  Part 1: The First Call

Ÿ  Part 2: Race Against Time

To find out more about MedFlight911′s international air ambulance services, give us a call at 888-359-1911 or get a no-obligation air ambulance quote here.

If you’re lucky, you or your loved ones will never need an air ambulance. Unfortunately, it’s possible that you’ll find yourself in a situation where you need to call an air ambulance provider like MedFlight911 to find out about our services. Below, I’ve summarized five common reasons that people may need an air ambulance.

1. You suffer a medical emergency when you’re in another country and need to get back to the United States. As a worldwide air ambulance provider, MedFlight911 is able to provide medical transport to and from the U.S. and other countries. If you’re traveling abroad and get sick or are injured, MedFlight911 can help you get back to your home country and get the medical care you need.

2. One of your loved ones is ill and needs to be moved closer to their family. Today, many of us live far away from our closest family. That means that when a relative (often an elderly parent or grandparent) gets sick, it can be difficult to manage their care from a distance. Many of our air ambulance transports involve moving people so that they can be closer to their loved ones.

3. You are sick or injured and need medical care that’s not available in your current location. You can get excellent medical care in most parts of the United States. But if you have a very serious or unusual health issue, it sometimes makes sense to travel to a hospital far away from your home, since they may be best able to treat you.

4. You are too sick to travel on a commercial flight. If you’re very sick or have a serious medical condition, traveling on a commercial flight may not be safe – or even possible. Airlines can (and do) deny boarding to passengers they believe are too sick to fly. If you’re seriously ill, you can save yourself time and hassle by arranging an air ambulance transport, rather than risk getting to the airport and having airline staff refuse to let you on the plane.

5. You need to travel from one medical facility to another, and the distance is too great to travel via ground ambulance. Typically, moving a patient from one medical facility to another requires a ground ambulance. But that’s not always practical, and an air ambulance can be a good alternative.

At MedFlight911, we provide air ambulance transport for all these situations and more. Our goal is to help patients and their families get the medical care that they need in the location that they want. If you’d like to learn more about our air ambulance services, please give us a call at 888-359-1911. We’re always happy to answer your questions.

To find out more about MedFlight911′s advanced air ambulance services, give us a call at 888-359-1911 or get a no-obligation air ambulance quote here.

This February is American Hearth Month. At MedFlight911 Air Ambulance, we urge everyone to take steps to make heart-healthy choices and take steps to reduce their risk of heart disease.

As an air ambulance provider, many of the patients we transport have heart problems (for example, they may have recently suffered a heart attack or stroke). The sad truth is that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Every day, 2,200 people die because of heart disease or stroke. Heart disease is also a leading cause of disability.

To stay heart healthy in February and beyond, consider taking the following steps:

• Ÿ  Quit smoking. Smoking is one of the biggest heart disease risk factors. If you stop smoking, you can dramatically lower your risk of heart disease.
• Ÿ  Limit consumption of fats (especially saturated and trans fats) and cholesterol.
• Ÿ  Maintain a healthy body weight. Talk to your doctor about what a healthy weight is for you, and, if necessary, the steps you should take to lose weight.
• Ÿ  Drink alcohol in moderation (typically no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men).
• Ÿ  Choose healthy foods, like fish, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and legumes. Eating these foods (and avoiding less healthy foods) can help you maintain a healthy weight and protect your heart.
• Ÿ  Get regular exercise (at least 30 minutes a day most days of the week). Your workouts don’t necessarily need to be intense. Walking the dog, gardening, and taking the stairs instead of the elevator can all help keep your heart healthy.
• Ÿ  Reduce stress. There isn’t conclusive evidence that stress will reduce your risk of heart disease, but it can improve your overall mental and physical health.
• Ÿ  Get regular checkups with your doctor. He or she will monitor your health, checking your blood pressure and cholesterol and screening your for conditions like diabetes, so that you know if you need to take extra steps to get healthy.

In addition to taking steps to reduce your risk of heart disease, it’s also important to know the signs you’re suffering heart problems. Common signs of a heart attack include:

• Ÿ  Chest pain or discomfort
• Ÿ  Discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Ÿ  Shortness of breath
• Ÿ  Cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

Signs of a stroke include the sudden onset of the following symptoms:

• Ÿ  Numbness or weakness in your face, arm or leg, especially if it occurs on only one side of your body
• Ÿ  Confusion or trouble speaking
• Ÿ  Difficulty seeing
• Ÿ  Problems walking, or a loss of balance or coordination
• Ÿ  A severe headache that doesn’t have an obvious cause

If you experience any of these symptoms, call 911 right away. Prompt medical attention can help reduce the risk of more serious complications.  Better yet, take steps to get heart healthy today can help you avoid an advanced air ambulance trip in the future.

Do you have questions about MedFlight911′s air medical transport services? Give us a call at 888-359-1911 to learn more about our services, or get a no-obligation air ambulance quote here.

Everyone knows that getting eight hours of sleep is ideal. It doesn’t matter if you’re a college student or advanced air ambulance doctor, being well rested means a sharper mind and better health. All too often, however, people don’t get enough shut eye. While the Mayo Clinic recommends that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night, a 2011 poll by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) found that most people actually get less than seven hours of sleep, and that 15% of adults sleep less than six hours a night.

Sleep deprivation seems to be especially common among medical professionals, who often work long hours and have irregular schedules. And while there are FAA rules that mandate rest periods for pilots, a NSF study found that nearly a quarter of pilots report that sleepiness affected their on-the-job performance. That’s a scary thought!

At MedFlight911 air ambulance, we always put safety first, and that includes making sure our pilots and medical crews are well rested. When we transport a patient, the patient has put their life in our hands. We don’t want to take risks and cut corners. Instead, we carefully plan each air ambulance journey so that we can be sure that the entire crew is operating at their best and not overly fatigued. We adhere strictly to all FAA regulations, including those known as “Part 135” that limit the time a pilot can fly to between 8 and 14 hours – depending on other factors including the number of pilots and how much rest time will follow.

Of course, getting enough sleep isn’t just important for those in high-risk jobs like medicine and aviation. And being fatigued doesn’t just means dark under-eye circles and yawns. Sleepiness is often a factor in car crashes and on-the-job accidents. In fact, sleepiness was a cause of some of the biggest disasters in recent history, including the Chernobyl meltdown, the Three Mile Island nuclear accident, and the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Sleep-related accidents can, in turn, lead to a need for long-distance medical transport.

While getting seven or eight hours of sleep might not be possible every night, you can follow these tips to increase the likelihood that you’ll get a decent night’s sleep:

• ŸKeep a regular sleep schedule, if possible. Consistent sleep patterns make it more likely that you’ll get a good night’s rest.
• ŸWatch your diet. Caffeine or alcohol before bed can make it difficult to sleep. Eating too much (or too little) before bed can also make it hard to doze off.
• ŸMake your bedroom sleep friendly. Many people find it easier to sleep in a cool, dark and quiet room. Choose a comfortable mattress and pillows, and try to limit how often children and pets sleep with you, if possible, since a crowded bed can make it difficult to get quality rest.
• ŸTurn off the TV (or computer). We all probably spend too much time staring at screens. Shutting off the TV, computer, or smartphone before bed can help you begin to relax. Instead, try reading a book or taking a warm shower to get your body and mind in the mood for sleep.
• ŸGet exercise, which can help you fall asleep faster and sleep deeper.
• ŸTry to manage stress. Too much stress can mean a long night of tossing, turning, and worrying. Stress management techniques can help you avoid those sleepless nights.

The bottom line: Getting adequate sleep is important for everyone, whatever your occupation.

To find out more about MedFlight911′s air medical transport services, give us a call at 888-359-1911 or get a no-obligation air ambulance quote here.

Most people will never need a worldwide air ambulance. So it’s hardly surprising that when we speak to patients and their families about using our services, they have a lot of questions, ranging from the basic (what’s an air ambulance, exactly?) to the specific (can I bring my pets on the flight?). To provide some answers and to ease the concerns of both patients and family members, we’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions below.

What is an air ambulance?

At MedFlight911, all our air ambulance planes are medically configured fixed-wing aircraft, including light and medium jets, twin and turbo prop planes, and heavy jets. Each MedFlight911 air ambulance meets FAA standards. One important note: We don’t use the helicopter, or rotor-wing, air ambulances that are typically used in emergency situations.

How much does an air ambulance cost?

The cost for each air ambulance trip is different based on factors such as date of travel, trip distance, flight time, destination, and the patient’s medical needs. After we have an idea of the patient’s specific needs, we can provide an exact quote for our services. We’ll also work with your insurance company to determine if they will pay for an air ambulance journey.

Who cares for the patient during an air ambulance trip?

A highly trained medical crew assists during every air ambulance flight. Depending on the patient’s medical condition, the crew may consist of critical care physicians, flight nurses, paramedics, or respiratory therapists, all of whom are licensed and carry specialized certifications above the normal requirements.

What if I’m out of the country and need an air ambulance? Can you help?

Yes. MedFlight911 is able to provide international air medical transport. We provide services all over the world; in the past, we’ve traveled to countries such as Mexico, Ukraine, Lebanon, India, Brazil, Bulgaria, and many more. Our extensive experience and expertise in international air ambulance service is invaluable for patients who are seeking air ambulance transport to or from the United States.

Can family members travel with the patient?

Of course! We know that having family members travel with the patient can make the situation easier for everyone involved. We’ll do everything we can to accommodate family members or friends who want to travel with the patient. Sometimes, we’re even able to accommodate pets (provided they’ve been authorized in advance, are current on vaccinations and travel in an approved pet carrier).

What kind of equipment is included on MedFlight911 air ambulances?

Each of our air ambulances comes equipped with a range of medical equipment, including  FAA-approved medical stretchers, ventilators, defibrillators,  IV pumps, and critical care medications. Depending on the patient’s health status, specialized equipment might also be on board, like a fetal heart monitor or an intra-aortic balloon pump. Before each transport, we make sure that we understand a patient’s condition, so that we can provide the care that he or she needs.

Do you have questions about MedFlight911′s air medical transport services that we didn’t answer here? Give us a call at 888-359-1911 to learn more about our services, or get a no-obligation air ambulance quote here.

At MedFlight911 air ambulance, we’ve said goodbye to 2012 and have welcomed 2013 with open arms. One of our resolutions this year is to keep providing the best possible air medical transport services to patients and their families, as well as to be there to meet what seems to be a rising demand for the type of services we provide.

As the world becomes more connected, and people travel more frequently, global demand for air ambulance service is increasing, according to a recent report in The Financial Times. The global number of emergency helicopter air ambulances has grown to nearly 2,000 in 2012, up from just over 1,500 in 2007. But that’s nothing compared to the spike in the number of fixed-wing air ambulances. Today, there are 40% more fixed-wing air ambulances than there were five years ago – a total of 575 around the world.

What’s behind the increase in the overall advanced air ambulance fleet? It’s hard to say for sure, but we think there are a few possible causes. The Financial Times points to increased demand for air ambulance services in Asia, South Africa and Australia. The changing landscape of global healthcare could also play a role, with people demanding access to high-quality healthcare services, whatever their location. In addition, people are simply spending more time on the move, which means that they’re more likely than ever to need long distance medical transport back to their home at some point. That’s the kind of service that MedFlight911 offers our patients.

With our air ambulance services, we’re able to transport patients across the United States and around the world, using dedicated jets or turbo prop aircraft with skilled, experienced medical crews. Our team handles all types of cases, from convalescent care to extremely complex, critical situations.

In addition to air ambulance services, we offer:

Ÿ  Ground medical transport services. For non-emergency situations, we can provide ground medical transportation in medically equipped motor coaches (again, with our skilled medical team seeing to patient’s needs). This is a cost-effective option for those who don’t need a dedicated air ambulance.

Ÿ  Air medical escort services. For patients who don’t need an air ambulance but do need assistance getting from point A to point B, we offer air medical escort services. One of our trained medical professionals (a paramedic, critical care nurse, or physician) accompanies the patient on a domestic or international commercial flight, providing medical and hygiene support along the way.

We hope 2013 is a happy and healthy year for you and your loved ones. But if you do need medical transport, MedFlight911 is able to help, whatever your situation and wherever you are!

To find out more about MedFlight911′s air medical escort services, give us a call at 888-359-1911 or get a no-obligation air ambulance quote here.

The holiday season is behind us, and many people have just said goodbye to visiting family members or returned from trips to see their families. Often, during these visits, we may realize that a loved one’s health isn’t as good as we might have thought. Perhaps it’s clear that they can no longer travel on their own, or it may even be time for them to move closer to other family members who can supervise their care. That’s where MedFlight911, with our air medical escort, air ambulance, and ground medical transport services, comes in.

Air medical escort services are designed for people who are healthy enough to travel on a commercial flight, but need a little bit of help – perhaps with getting around, taking medications, or administering oxygen. Often, air medical escorts are used when someone is too sick to fly without assistance, but sometimes families hire air medical escorts just for the peace of mind.

For example, last year, we worked with a family that needed an escort to accompany a 98-year-old woman on a flight from Michigan to Washington state so that she could see her seriously ill daughter. Sophie didn’t have any serious medical problems, but the family wasn’t comfortable with her traveling alone because of her age. Fortunately, the trained air medical escorts at MedFlight911 were able to step in and get Sophie to and from Michigan with no problems.

Of course, sometimes people need a little more medical attention than is possible to give on a commercial flight. In those cases, an air ambulance or ground medical transportation might be the better option. We often arrange air ambulance and ground medical transport so that people can be closer to their families.

For example, adult children may decide that it’s time to move their elderly parents to a nursing home or other facility. Once, we transported an elderly man who had suffered a paralyzing neck injury from Brazil to the U.S. via air ambulance so that he could be closer to his family, who would oversee his care.

In another case, we used a medical motor coach to move an elderly woman from California to the Pacific Northwest so that she could live closer to her son. This was what we call a non-emergent transport – the woman didn’t have any life-threatening medical issues – so the motor coach was a good, affordable option for the family.

Whether your loved one travels with an air medical escort or via ground or air ambulance, every patient benefits from the attention of our trained medical crews of experienced nurses and paramedics. Our team is here to help every step of the way, and we’re committed to making sure each patient gets to where they need to be quickly and safely.

To find out more about MedFlight911′s air medical escort services, give us a call at 888-359-1911 or get a no-obligation worldwide air ambulance quote here.