Ventilated Patient: Intensive-Care Air Ambulance Transfer
A patient on mechanical ventilation can be transferred by air when the intensive-care teams agree. We organize the flight with an ICU crew and the equipment that the patient's condition requires.
Transferring a ventilated patient is one of the most demanding missions of an air ambulance. It requires an intensive-care physician and nurse, a ventilator suited to flight, continuous monitoring and, when needed, specific cabin pressure management. We coordinate with the sending and the receiving ICU, and our coordinating physician validates every step before departure.
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
- Patient on a ventilator after a serious illness, accident or surgery abroad
- Transfer from a foreign hospital to an ICU in the home country
- Patient who needs a more specialized intensive-care unit
- Return home of a patient who remains ventilated
How the transport is organized
Before the flight
- Collection of the ICU file, ventilator settings and current treatments
- Assessment of fitness to fly by our coordinating physician with the sending ICU
- Agreement of the receiving ICU, and preparation of the bed
- Ground transfer with a mobile ICU, then loading onto the aircraft
On board
- Intensive-care physician and nurse, with a ventilator suited to flight
- Continuous monitoring of all vital parameters and infusion pumps
- Cabin pressure managed according to the patient's needs — see our sea-level cabin option
- Backup equipment, oxygen and emergency drugs
Fitness to fly and timing
The timing is decided by the ICU teams and our coordinating physician. A ventilated patient must be stable enough to be moved; the departure is confirmed only when both sides consider that the transfer is safe.
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 intensive-care teams consider that the patient can be moved. The flight is organized with an ICU crew, a ventilator suited to flight and continuous monitoring.
It can be, for some conditions. We can arrange a flight with the cabin pressurized at or near sea level, when it is medically useful.
Some missions involve ECMO support. See our ICU/ECMO air ambulance service for the specific crew and equipment.
A medical situation abroad can't wait.
Our coordinators are available right now — every day, at any hour.