Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services

Mayo MedAir Puts Safety First

The Mayo Clinic is well known for their top-notch medical standards and quality. People from all over the world enlist the services of the Mayo Clinic when medical situations arise that need specialized care. Like the Mayo Clinic, Mayo MedAir puts the patient and safety first. Any patient that requires air ambulance transport will be properly monitored, comfortable, and safe during the flight.

Mayo MedAir is a member of the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services. Although no federal standards exist in the industry, air ambulance companies certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services are known to meet or exceed minimum standards. Such standards include competency and safety requirements. Standards in education, administration, communication, and maintenance are also considered. Mayo MedAir is the only CAMTS certified air ambulance company in the state of Minnesota, and one of few companies around the globe to make this level of commitment.

Mayo MedAir flights are known for their safety record. Each air ambulance has two pilots on board. The pilots are required to have numerous hours of experienced flight time. Several hours of flight time in high-traffic areas are a requirement for Mayo MedAir pilots. Unlike some other air ambulance companies, Mayo MedAir does not send out a single pilot on a medical mission. The pilots at Mayo MedAir are dedicated to medical missions. They are not pulled away from other positions to man a flight in an emergency.

The medical staff that accompanies the patient are a team of no fewer than two members. Each medical team is highly trained to tackle any condition the patient may have or an emergency that arises during transport. In specialized cases, the Mayo MedAir medical team may consist of more members that can directly deal with the specific medical needs of the patient. This fact is especially important in cases involving the need for NICU services or a respiratory therapist, for instance. Each member of the team works at the Mayo Clinic and is specially trained for critical care.

The medical team has a medical director above them that oversees their work. This position is filled by a Mayo Clinic physician trained in emergency care. The medical director is responsible for the actions of the medical team during the flight and transport, so the quality standards and safety record remains high. The care of the patient becomes top priority.

Safety of the patient is of utmost importance to Mayo MedAir. For this reason, each air ambulance carries standard equipment that allows the patient to receive proper treatment during transit. In addition to specialized medical tools and equipment, the air ambulance has the technology to stay in contact with physicians on the ground during the entire flight. Whether communication is via phone, email, or text message, the medical team and hospital are aware of all circumstances during transit.

It is clear to see that Mayo MedAir is committed to patient safety. This air ambulance service is dedicated to quality service. Every aspect of safety and patient care has been considered.

Consider Safety First When Choosing an Air Ambulance

Times of stress often leave people feeling drained and unable to think clearly. When you or a loved one are suffering from medical conditions, stress levels are high. It is important to think of safety first when deciding on which air ambulance company to use. Here are some suggestions to help you put safety first in the decision.

Don’t let the stress and circumstances cloud your mind. Research the air ambulance service thoroughly before making the decision to use their services. Learn about the company and their history. Find out what certifications the pilot and flight crew must possess. Do the pilot and other crew members meet all FAA requirements and certifications? Is the pilot required to have flight-simulator training? If so, how often.

Some companies will permit only a single pilot to fly the aircraft. Although this is not deemed unsafe, it is a good idea to fly with an air ambulance service that offers two pilots in the cockpit.

Inexperienced pilots may not have the hours and background to safely transport patients on a medical mission. Locate an air ambulance company that uses pilots solely dedicated to medical missions that require numerous hours of flight time.

Ask about the company’s safety record. Although most companies who offer air ambulance services have excellent safety records, you can never be so sure. Find out for yourself. Do your homework to make sure the company follows the strictest guidelines in the industry.

Find out if the air ambulance company is a member of CAMTS. This means that the company is certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services. Membership varies throughout the industry, but with no federal standards in place, it is a way to be certain that minimum competency and safety standards are being met. To receive certification, the company commits to being evaluated on educational standards, safety, equipment, staffing, maintenance,
Communication, and administration.

When considering an air ambulance transportation service, find out if the company employs a medical director. This person should be a licensed physician trained in all the areas of critical care and emergency treatment. This person should be available for consultation during a transport if questions should arise. Also, to encourage quality control, this individual will review the circumstances of the transport to ensure that all medical protocols were followed correctly.

This person oversees the training of medical staff and is responsible for the actions of the medical team during the transport. A company with such a person on staff has a lot at stake, so quality and standards will be high in such a case.

How many medical professionals accompany the patient during transport? In many situations, an air ambulance service may only send out one medically trained person on each flight. In some instances, this is safe for patients, but if an emergency should occur, it is best to have a minimum of two medically trained personnel on hand to completely handle the emergency situation. The trained staff should have experience in emergency treatment and critical care. In specialized cases, more members should accompany a patient and the number of the team increases. This is true in cases that require a respiratory therapist, for example.

Investigating air ambulance services may seem overwhelming at the time, but knowing that the patient’s needs should come first is important. Safety of the patient is evident in companies that strive for excellence. Check out the air ambulance company and their safety record for an indication of the company’s quality and level of experience before making the final decision.

Benefits of CAMTS Certification for Air Ambulance Services

As you shop around for an air ambulance service, you may be confused about all the details. How do you know which air ambulance service is best? If you are looking for air ambulance transportation that is high-quality and lives up to standards, then look for a service that is CAMTS certified.

What does CAMTS mean? The initials CAMTS stand for Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services. Companies who are accredited by CAMTS receive several benefits. Although the company must incur some cost and time commitment for the certification, the company who receives such an honor will appreciate the time and money invested.

The air ambulance service that is certified by CAMTS may have lowered insurance premiums due to the quality commitment and high safety standards. Local, state, and federal government may recognize the CAMTS certified air ambulance company. Such certified air ambulance services may be granted contracts only available to certified companies. The credibility attained by CAMTS certification is prestigious among other medical transport companies and the public.

Customers will note the CAMTS certification and know that they are securing a flight with a dependable air ambulance service. The commitment to excellence seen only by CAMTS certified companies will provide confidence to the customer. During stressful times, it can be hard to know that you are making the right decision about medical issues, but choosing a CAMTS certified air ambulance will make the decision easier.

Because no federal or state regulations exist to standardize many of the practices associated with air ambulance transport, it is difficult to determine which companies are best and which companies simply will do the job. CAMTS certified companies are required to meet minimum standards that indicate the company is providing excellent service that focuses on patient comfort and safety.

The company interested in certification begins by critically assessing their own organization. This helps the air ambulance service note their strengths and weaknesses. In time, inspectors come to the site of the service to assess the company and their practices. With this amount of scrutiny, it is no doubt that the company has the opportunity to perfect any problems.

Measurements are taken in regards to communication, administration, education, and maintenance. If the air ambulance company fails to meet the minimum requirements, they will not receive the CAMTS certification. While companies who do not have the certification may, in fact, meet the standards, there is no way to judge this fact. Customers selecting only CAMTS certified air ambulance services can be certain that such minimum standards are met. Periodically, certified companies are re-evaluated to ensure quality.

Certification from the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services offers several benefits for the air ambulance service. Among prestige and lower insurance premiums, the company will get more business. Customers in search of a high-quality air ambulance service will be able to easily separate the CAMTS certified companies from the rest of the pack. CAMTS certification is a win-win situation for both air ambulance companies and potential customers of the service.