Transport Standards Covid-19

Current transport standards

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a daily companion in the context of our ambulance flights. Therefore, FAI takes protective measures to protect the deployed crews, as well as other persons and facilities involved.

In general, a valid negative PCR test result, which is not older than 48 hours at the time of departure, is required for all patients and accompanying persons prior to a planned ambulance flight.

If a PCR test is not possible on site, under certain circumstances an antigen rapid test may be conducted by our medical team upon takeover of patients and accompanying persons as an alternative.

Symptomatic COVID-19 patients

All non-ventilated patients with symptoms of a coronavirus infection are generally transported in a PMIU (EpiShuttle or IsoArk N-36-6). In cases with very mild symptoms, transportation may be carried out according to the FAI hygiene concept “Asymptomatic Patient”. This is considered and decided on a case-by-case basis.

The decision to bring along accompanying persons is made individually based on the information available.

Ventilated patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection

Ventilated patients (endotracheal tube with cuff / tracheal cannula with cuff) with a COVID-19 infection are generally transported without a PMIU according to a strict hygiene concept.

With increasing knowledge and experience, FAI also shares the strategy of the vast majority of air ambulance providers that transportation of ventilated patients exclusively within PMIUs is no longer justifiable.

Asymptomatic COVID-19 Patients

Transportation of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients and accompanying persons is carried out based on a special hygiene concept without a PMIU, which has been reviewed by the RKI (Robert Koch Institute) and EURAMI. However, implementation is only possible if patients do not show any or at most very mild symptoms of a coronavirus infection.

History

February 2022

Procurement and commissioning of a third IsoArk N-36-6

January 2022

All patients and accompanying persons must present a valid negative PCR test result before a planned ambulance flight (not older than 48 hours)
Antigen rapid testing possible as an alternative under certain circumstances

March 2021

Procurement and commissioning of a second IsoArk N-36-6

October 2020

First transports of positive and asymptomatic patients (without PMIUs) according to a special hygiene concept in addition on Learjet 60, Challenger 604 and Challenger 850

September 2020

Procurement and commissioning of a third EpiShuttle
First transports with two PMIUs

July 2020

Procurement and commissioning of two Isolation Chamber NP-320
First transports of stable patients in IsoArk N-36-6 and Isolation Chamber NP-320 on Learjet 60 and Global Express
First transports of positive and asymptomatic patients (without PMIUs) according to a special hygiene concept on Global Express

May 2020

Procurement and commissioning of a second EpiShuttle due to increasing transport requests

April 2020

Commissioning of the existing IsoArk N-36-6
Transport of critically ill and ventilated patients with EpiShuttle
Transport of stable patients with low care requirements in IsoArk N-36-6
First transports of recovered patients under strict conditions
Accompanying persons are again accepted under certain circumstances on ambulance flights

March 2020

All patients on ambulance flights must present a negative PCR test
Accompanying persons on ambulance flights are temporarily no longer accepted
Ambulance flights from high-risk areas according to WHO are generally only allowed with EpiShuttle regardless of a negative PCR test result

February 2020

Conversion of Challenger CL604 fleet with custom configuration for EpiShuttle transport
Official manufacturer training for medical teams on the use of EpiShuttle
Training of medical teams according to guidelines from the ECDC (European Centre for Disease Control)
First ambulance flights with EpiShuttle
Transport of COVID-19 positive patients exclusively in EpiShuttle
Transport of COVID-19 negative contact persons exclusively in EpiShuttle
Transport of patients with illnesses unrelated to COVID-19 after intensive anamnesis without EpiShuttle
Beginning of repatriation flights for healthy and unaffected adults and children from high-risk areas

December 2019

First COVID-19 infections reported in Asian countries
Adjustment of internal protection and hygiene measures for ambulance flights to affected regions