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Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Ambulance Services, Flight Services, Wheelchair Transportation

An Overview of Patient Transportation Methods

When you hear the phrase medical transportation, your mind most likely goes to an individual transported in an ambulance to a hospital. Lights. Sirens. The whole thing. Transporting patients and those needing medical attention is a massive portion of medical transportation. The medical transportation industry also involves moving products, supplies, and courier transportation both on the ground and in the air. The specific aspect of patient transportation and what that can look like with different situations and services can be overwhelming, and many don’t know the different processes and options that exist. What are the forms of patient transportation? And, how does Medi-Ops step into this arena?

Ambulance Transportation

Utilizing ambulances is widely understood as an optimal method of emergency patient transportation. With efficient timing and professional care during transport, this is an incredibly safe and secure option in emergencies and for unstable patients or those requiring immediate care. There are several types of ambulance transportation including ICU, NICU, and pediatric transportation along with bariatric and stretcher transport. The type of ambulance used for each of these specific situations is important to provide the patient with the best care possible.

How does ambulance transportation fall into the bandwidth of Medi-Ops? With a centralized dispatch center, all needs will be met in a timely fashion. Our contracts with ICU Critical Care Transport Companies, NICU and pediatric transport companies, and ALS and BLS companies allow us to schedule and send ambulance services in any situation. Clients calling for ambulance services are never turned away, and with one phone call to Medi-Ops, the correct service for the client’s situation is determined as we locate the appropriate ambulance crew or company closest to the client’s location. Taking care of all of these logistics and locating the correct ambulance to give the best services to our client is taken with the utmost importance, as emergencies are stressful and time is of the essence. With company connections, dispatch services, and live tracking, each client is met with exactly what they need with ambulance transportation through Medi-Ops.

Air Medical Transportation

Emergencies are extremely time-evident and sometimes ambulances just won’t make the cut when a patient needs to travel long distances or to a specific facility. That’s where air medical transportation comes in. Usually, a patient with immediate burns, traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries, organ transplant recipients, head, or respiratory injuries will require air transportation due to the severity of their condition and the extreme time sensitivity of immediate medical attention. Often, patients with extreme injuries such as these will need to be transported to certain facilities that specialize in treatment for their condition. While ambulance transportation is also sometimes used in these cases, air medical transportation provides a faster and more efficient option for those requiring long-distance transportation or those that are in extremely critical condition.

Medi-Ops delivers air medical transportation for patients that require…

  • Air ambulance transport: Patients are moved from their location to a facility that can give them the medical attention they need via helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft
  • ALS and BLS transport: ALS (advanced life support) and BLS (basic life support) can both be administered through air medical transportation services. ALS transport is for patients in more critical condition and has the equipment and staff to treat more life-threatening cases. BLS transport involves EMTs and basic equipment to handle cases that don’t require advanced procedures during transportation.
  • Bariatric transport: Bariatric transport is designed for individuals whose size causes physical and mobility limitations. Professionaly-trained staff, specifically-designed stretchers and equipment, and vehicles with a large enough interior are used in these cases.
  • Commercial flight escorts: When patients are in stable enough condition to go on a commercial flight, a professionally-trained escort can accompany them in order to administer any medications, minor procedures, and overall safety of the patient. If a patient qualifies for this option, a commercial flight is generally more cost-effective than an air ambulance.

In taking care of scheduling, staffing, punctuality, and choosing the correct air medical services for the patient’s specific situation, Medi-Ops allows the client to feel cared for and safe while focusing on what is important. 

Wheelchair and NEMT Transportation

Non-emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) is not typically the immediate thought of an individual when thinking of patient and medical transport. However, NEMT transportation is a significant part of the everyday lives of many patients and clients. These services are most often used for those with recurring office visits or hospital discharges. Lack of transportation is the main reason why medical appointments are missed, and NEMT can help decrease the risks that come with missed appointments and services. Older populations face these problems regularly, and the utilization of NEMT creates an ease of patient transportation to allow individuals to avoid transportation stress and instead focus on their physical and mental health.

Medi-Ops utilizes our personalized operations coordinators to direct a client with the most effective services and operators upon evaluating medical and financial needs. NEMT transportation has a wide berth including rideshare, ambulatory, wheelchair, and stretcher transport. In addition to offering these services directly to the individual, facilities can partner with Medi-Ops for designated NEMT vehicles, ensuring the highest and most accessible level of patient care possible.

Patient transportation involves several different facets and options, all delivering a patient-first approach to the individual. When in a medical situation, there is always a specific form of transportation that will be most beneficial to the individual requiring care. All of these options and services can sometimes feel overwhelming, and it may not always be obvious which provider, service, and transportation form is the best option. Thankfully, Medi-Ops can help to determine the ideal service and form of transportation for each and every client’s situation.

Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Blood Bank

What is the US Blood Supply Chain?

If you’ve ever donated blood before, maybe you are aware of the steps in the blood supply chain. The truth is, a lot goes into the process of getting blood from donor to transfusion patient. From an individual donating blood to testing and processing procedures, to transportation and transfusion logistics, there are many factors and steps in the blood supply chain within the United States. Blood is in high demand, as one in seven people entering a hospital end up requiring blood. This high need for blood, combined with the fact that only six to seven percent of people are universal donors (meaning they have type o negative blood), creates the necessity for an efficient and productive supply chain process.

Donating Blood

There is no substitute for human blood, and donors are incredibly generous in helping those whose lives depend on blood transfusions. After a donor makes the decision to donate, they need to be screened to ensure that eligibility requirements are met. In order to ensure the safety of the donor and the receiving patient, meeting these requirements is imperative and dependent on the donation type. Once a donor is screened for eligibility, they are ready to donate. This process varies depending on the type of donation. Whole blood, plasma, and platelet donations are all options for donors as long as they are eligible, with whole blood donations being the most common.

Preparing Blood

The donated blood is sent to blood centers and laboratories to conduct processing and testing. Donated blood needs to be processed to separate the blood into transfusable components such as red cells, platelets, and plasma. These components and further processed and packaged as units. Several tests are performed within processing to confirm blood type and test for any abnormalities or infectious diseases. 

After passing testing and processing, units are labeled and stored. Depending on the blood component, units are stored differently. There are specific similarities and differences in how components of blood are stored and transported.

Transporting Blood

When units are ready, they move into the transportation process and are moved to hospitals or other medical providers that will conduct the transfusion. When transporting units, blood products must be stored in specific temperature conditions, and extra steps must be taken to ensure the optimal temperature ranges for the unit are maintained throughout the transportation process. This typically involves specific containers and monitoring of products. 

Units also have different shelf lives, blood at forty-two days, platelets at five days, and plasma at up to a year if frozen properly. Regardless of shelf life, all of these products are recommended to be transported in less than twenty-four hours. Thanks to transportation services such as Medi-Ops, air and ground transportation options make these time and transportation constraints more than possible to accommodate. Hospitals and large medical facilities typically have blood in proper storage and on-site. A continuous supply is ensured so these facilities always have what they need. However, emergencies do arise, and sometimes an emergent call for more blood products is necessary.

Typically, additional safety testing is done upon the unit’s arrival at a facility to provide optimal care to patients. In some cases, additional testing and processing of the unit are required for specific patients.

Transfusion Process

The last stage of this whole process is the actual transfusion. Patients are identified and have blood compatibility tests to confirm their safety and health. While multitudes of individuals receive blood, transfusions can help patients struggling with cancer, trauma, sickle-cell, burn victims, and those with chronic diseases. Patients receive the transfusion while being closely monitored by medical professionals. Transfusions can involve a patient receiving whole blood or a specific component, depending on the needs of that individual. These other transfusable components involve red cells, platelets, plasma, cryo, and granulocytes. There are advantages to receiving transfusions of any or all of these components depending on the condition and treatment plan of the patient. Post-transfusion protocols are set in place as well so the medical team and patient can stay in continuous communication for follow-ups. 

Research

Another more behind the scenes portion of this process is research initiatives and testing programs. Medical innovators are continuously testing and researching different uses of blood and blood components to further pursue medicine and future solutions. Research facilities, universities, and medical organizations are constantly looking for new approaches and treatments using blood and transfusion processes. Blood research is always interesting and inspires hope for future medicinal solutions. 
Every two seconds, an individual is in need of blood. The number of logistics and steps involved in the blood supply chain process is crucial in saving lives across the nation. Donating blood is also extremely important for hospitals and medical organizations to continue helping patients in the best ways possible. If you are considering donating blood, find a place near you and help countless individuals today! The process for the donor only takes about an hour from arrival to departure. Donating blood is an incredibly generous accomplishment, and you can inspire your friends and family to do the same.

Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Courier Services, Hospitals

The Importance of Medical Logistics

Medical logistics are a part of everyday life in the world of medicine. Why are they important? What do they do? Why do they matter? Are they worth investing in? Let’s answer these questions and more as we dive into the importance of medical logistics.

Medical Logistics Explained

You can’t look into medical logistics without also understanding supply chain management. The reason for supply chain management is organizing and linking networks in order to get products where they need to be in the most efficient and time-friendly manner possible. This involves costs, patient and establishment needs, transportation networks, shipping speeds, quality protection, and more. Not to mention the added logistics and considerations when hazardous materials, temperature sensitivity, insurance, and short-life products are involved. Logistics steps into those various components and processes of supply chain management. When all operations are moving smoothly from one end of the supply chain to the other, logistics is doing its job, lives are being saved, and operations are running at the best level possible. Clearly, a lot goes into reaching this point of optimal logistics and transportation.

Importance of Logistics

The two most valuable and measured things in the world are time and money. Medical logistics are important because they expound upon both time (through efficiency in moving materials and patients) and money (less time and increased efficiency in transportation mean lower costs). Because of this reality, having intentional logistics use in place creates safe, efficient, reliable, and timely transportation of products and patients. Being late in delivery or transportation in the healthcare and medical world is simply not an option. Creating a logistics plan that works and is sustainable for your business is essential to have in place. This can save money. Time. Lives. 

Benefits of Investment

Investing in logistics partners is essential in today’s world of medicine and healthcare. The transparency and communication that logistics partners like Medi-Ops can offer do wonder for logistics and efficiency. Visibility through live-tracking technology, expansive networks, and multiple transportation options for every situation is positively essential for medical organizations. 

There is a lot to think about in terms of logistics. Investing in a logistics partner takes care of the hassle and stress that comes with making sure every aspect of supply chain management and patient care is included in solution development and considerations. Extra costs can be reduced when one logistics partner is helping coordinate everything and using the best networks and solutions possible for everyday logistics as well as specific situations that may arise. 

Medicine is unpredictable. There are always unexpected events and situations that pop up where new logistic solutions are needed. Utilizing logistics partners help to manage those situations, develop the best solutions in a timely manner, and create forward-thinking and innovative transportation and medical solutions. Logistics partners are also constantly reevaluating supply chain needs, patient transportation options, and new ideas on how to create alternative solutions in this industry. Using their expertise and knowledge can, again, save time, money, and lives.

Medi-Ops as Your Logistics Solution

Medi-Ops is an incredible option to meet your medical logistics and transportation needs. We serve you by removing hassle and stress alongside infusing medical transportation with visibility and logistic transparency. When needing medical transportation and solutions, our dispatch center connects you to a curated operator based on medical, geographic, and financial needs. Anyone using Medi-Ops is walked through all necessary processes and services and will meet a team that brings consistent, quality service every time. In addition to the 24/7 dispatch center and revolutionary software, clients are able to place orders, view tracking information, receive immediate quotes, and bill directly from Medi-Ops. 

Medi-Ops is different from other logistics partners in that decreased transportation costs are available due to the company-owned fleet of ground vehicles, emergency, lights and sirens medical transportation, an extensive network of transportation solutions, and an organization that serves clients at the highest level. We have all the resources necessary to create solutions from medical emergencies in rural communities to daily NEMT transportation.

Logistics in courier services include ground and air transportation options. Orders are climate-controlled and delivered time-sensitively through HIPPA-compliant and background-checked operators. Any type of medical courier transportation is covered through ground service (emergency and non-emergency) as well as air courier (next flight out, on board, fixed wing, and rotor aircraft) options. Medi-Ops doesn’t stop at courier services and offers extensive patient transportation services through ambulance, air medical, and NEMT transportation.

The technological innovation of Medi-Ops sets it apart from other logistics and transportation providers. Through the client portal and technological services, tracking and transparency in every transportation service are present and available for clients. An extensive network with partners in transportation services expands options for clients, offering optimal solutions for every transportation and logistic need.

Logistics Wrapped Up

Medi-Ops is a great solution to logistics and medical transportation needs. Every business, hospital, or medical center in this industry requires exceptional logistics plans and options in order to be successful and operate at the best level possible. Every client of Medi-Ops can rest assured that they are receiving the optimal solutions in both product and patient transportation logistics. The innovation and constant assessment required to create the best network of logistics in medicine and healthcare can be overwhelming. That’s why logistics partners are absolutely essential in cultivating sustainable and top-of-the-line medical services.

Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Hospitals, Wheelchair Transportation

NEMT & the Benefit of Designated Vehicles

Here at Medi-Ops, we work with facilities to increase productivity and effective transportation, while decreasing the stress and logistics that often come with it. Specifically with NEMT (non-emergent medical transportation), the immense need for capable vehicles and staff is on the rise.

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation

NEMT does it all. Wheelchairs. Stretchers. Ambulances. These services meet patients where they are at (through assessment of medical and financial needs) to give them the best care possible. An increase in elderly populations in the United States means an increase in the need for NEMT services. Due to this increase, service providers must be aware that NEMT options are important to constantly evaluate in order to be prepared for all types of transportation services. Even though this branch of medical transportation is non-emergent, issues of slow response times or late arrivals can not be tolerated. It is truly imperative for facilities to have these services available while always being safe and time efficient, in order to care for patients and their families. 

We offer multiple patient transportation services across the country. The use of personalized operations coordinators helps determine the correct service or operator according to the patient’s medical and financial needs. Obtaining a free quote or scheduling transportation today is always an option for you and your loved ones! Medi-Ops’ can serve both individuals and facilities in this capacity. 

Custom NEMT Plans

Nursing and medical facilities are able to provide that extra level of care when working with Medi-Ops. Custom plans are available and extraordinarily beneficial to these institutions. Here’s how it works…

  1. Medi-Ops meets with the facility to determine needs and wants in relation to  NEMT services
  2. If fit for our network: The facility will be set up with our network of operators and are given a login to track dispatches and vehicles being utilized through our specialized AI technology and algorithms. 
  3. If fit for a dedicated vehicle: We will work with the facility to obtain a vehicle (whether they have purchased a vehicle or we help them obtain one) that will stay at their operating facility for their use, 24/7! 

If the facility is eligible for a dedicated vehicle, they are able to save on operating costs by not having a need to pay a per-mile transportation fee. Since Medi-Ops serves as the logistics and operations behind the vehicle, the elements of stress that come with vehicle and logistics issues, as well as staffing and maintenance, are all taken care of. In addition, we provide vehicle wrapping and other branding opportunities for each facility. We have the option to subsidize the cost of the vehicle with any extra trips that we may have.

Benefits of Having a Dedicated Vehicle

There are several benefits that come with a facility choosing to have a dedicated vehicle. One of the more obvious is dedicated reliable transportation. A dedicated vehicle is just that – absolutely dedicated to the needs of the facility. This creates reliability and efficiency for the facility utilizing the vehicle. 

The day-to-day logistics and plans are all taken care of in order to conduct and carry out all transportation needs, ensuring every trip is completed with the highest levels of quality and care. 

Rarely do you meet anyone that enjoys dealing with vehicle maintenance. Thankfully, a dedicated vehicle means Medi-Ops uses our knowledge and expertise in transportation to bring the most hassle-free process of vehicle utilization and maintenance. This allows us to ensure that method of transportation is up to date with safety, legal, and maintenance standards.

It is absolutely essential to have drivers and staff that are reliable and consistent when dealing with NEMT and medical transportation in general. We are able to educate drivers and staff to have up-to-date training and imperative qualities to be the most successful in serving you, your patients, or your clients. We eliminate problems with staff through an infrastructure of insurance and extensive training.

The decreased cost is a benefit of dedicated vehicles that can’t go unsaid. With a high volume of clients, costs continue to decrease so a dedicated vehicle is just a financial benefit that can’t be passed on. 

While utilization of services such as Medi-Ops increases the safety and efficiency of all medical transportation, not all accidents can be diminished. In the unlikely case of an accident that involves a dedicated vehicle, the facility is adequately covered.

NEMT is an essential part of the medical field and a direct reflection of a facility. Thankfully, Medi-Ops is able to and happy to relieve this burden from any facility or home, providing exceptional service with efficient costs.

Medi-Ops Rotor Aircraft Operator
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Courier Services, Flight Services

Rural Communities & Medical Logistics

One of the best things about Colorado is the mountains and remote locations that the state offers. Mountain communities are secluded and peaceful, making them the perfect places to reside or escape for a weekend. The thing about these rural communities is that access to them can be difficult. This not only impacts the traveler, but also the community’s needs for emergency transport. What does emergency transport look like for these communities? How do they operate and what are the solutions to get these rural hospitals what they need?

Rural hospitals are the backbones of the communities that surround them. With all of the wonderful things these hospitals do, transportation can be a struggle due to factors with location and accessibility. Even with hospitals that involve more difficult access, the need for blood product, specimens, and medical equipment doesn’t decrease! These hospitals still require the same urgent transportation of medical products that any other medical facility would. All those mountain towns mentioned above? Think about the factors that could go into shipments and transportation operations – weather, terrain, distance, urgency, and the list goes on. These are real challenges that communities face, and no one wants to deal with those maddening logistics!

These challenging factors create situations where driving and road transportation might not be the fastest, safest, or most efficient option for medical and urgent transportation. These communities are also decently far from blood banks, distribution centers, and important facilities such as these. One option that stands out as a solution is utilizing commercial aircraft, charter rotor aircraft, or fixed-wing aircraft. These transportation options help to meet the urgent needs of rural communities. 

Once a community decides to explore the option of aircraft transportation, ground transportation is still utilized in order to pick these shipments up from distribution centers or blood banks, bring the product to the airport, and then have another transport pick the product up when it lands and deliver it to the final destination. Managing insurance, TSA qualifications, contracts, and other logistics are important in this process as well to create the safest optimal environment for the product being transported. 

Transportation challenges. Aircraft options. Ground transport logistics. This is still quite a list of things to manage when requiring urgent transport. Thankfully, logistics partners such as Medi-Ops can step into the process and help to manage this transportation network in order to meet the needs of and best serve these communities. With Medi-Ops, these various logistics are all taken care of in creating and executing the optimal transportation plan. Through utilizing relationships with commercial aircraft, shipments can be added to these flights that have excess baggage space through Next Flight Out services. Medi-Ops also has partnerships with rotor aircraft and fixed-wing, creating accessibility to all. Instead of a rural hospital having to set up transportation to pick up a medical shipment, bring it to the airport, coordinate a separate transport to pick it up from the receiving airport, and bring it to the hospital, on top of managing their insurance, various qualifications from the TSA, contracts, and other legal and safety logistics, the rural hospital could just set the trip up with Medi-Ops, who will work alongside them to pick the best methods of transportation for the hospital and their product.

In 2020, Medi-Ops partnered with Heli-Ops to continue providing the best transportation possible. Rotor aircraft are essential in reaching remote areas quickly, as they can land almost anywhere and move at high speeds. These aircraft do have a shorter range than fixed-wing aircraft, making the relationships with both types essential when determining optimal transportation in any situation.

The utilization of these alternate services in transportation, for example, a mountain hospital that is out of blood product, can get the product there in two hours instead of the eight hours that it would take between driving through winter roads, terrain, and other barriers. Medi-Ops has established relationships with rotor aircraft carriers in addition to commercial airlines that create the ideal transportation situations for these rural communities.

Medical transportation, especially to and from rural hospitals and medical facilities, can entail an incredible number of hard-to-sort logistics. Involving logistics partners like Medi-Ops will help to create transportation networks that are of the highest safety, efficiency, and quality. Time is of the essence in transportation situations and Medi-Ops is able to eliminate unnecessary pains in the logistics process, so hospitals can focus on their operations without having to worry as much about transportation and whether or not they are going to have a product on time.

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