Severe Burns Abroad: Air Ambulance Transfer to a Burn Center
A serious burn during a stay abroad often requires care in a specialized burn center. We coordinate the medical transfer with the intensive-care crew and the receiving unit.
Severe burns require specialized care that not every hospital can provide. When the treating team and the receiving burn center agree that a transfer is appropriate, we organize it end to end: collection of the medical file, fitness-to-fly assessment, an intensive-care crew and a flight planned around the patient's needs, including temperature and comfort in the cabin.
Our coordinating physician assesses each case together with the on-site medical team to determine the equipment required and the transport mode best suited to the patient's condition.
When we are called in
- Serious burn during a holiday, a work accident or a domestic accident abroad
- Transfer to a specialized burn center in the home country
- Burn patient who needs continuing intensive care during the transfer
- Several injured travelers after a fire or an explosion
How the transport is organized
Before the flight
- Collection of the burn assessment, treatment given and current medical status
- Fitness-to-fly assessment by our coordinating physician with the treating team
- Coordination with the receiving burn center, which agrees to the transfer
- Transfer from the hospital to the aircraft with the appropriate protective measures
On board
- Intensive-care medical crew, with ventilation and monitoring equipment if needed
- Management of fluids, pain and body temperature by the medical team
- Cabin temperature and comfort adjusted to the patient
- Strict hygiene measures during the flight
Fitness to fly and timing
The timing of a burn transfer is decided by the burn specialists. Our coordinating physician discusses it with the treating team and the receiving burn center, and organizes the flight as soon as they confirm that it is appropriate.
Our team can work directly with the patient's insurer or assistance company to arrange fast coverage — see our dedicated page for insurers and assistance companies.
This page gives general information about how a medical transport is organized and is not medical advice. Every decision is taken by the treating physicians together with our coordinating physician, case by case.
Related services
Common questions
Yes, when the treating team and the receiving burn center agree. The flight is organized with an intensive-care crew and equipment adapted to the patient's condition.
Yes. We coordinate with the receiving unit before the flight so that the handover is complete and no time is lost on arrival.
Depending on the aircraft and the patients' conditions, several patients can sometimes be transported on the same flight; otherwise, several flights are organized.
A medical situation abroad can't wait.
Our coordinators are available right now — every day, at any hour.