Aeromedevac

Don’t let DVT ruin your holiday trips

Aeromedevac — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:40:40 +0000

As travelers make their way over the river and through the woods this holiday season, they’ll likely have planned for a number of health scenarios, from motion sickness to pounding headaches to food poisoning from mid-air meals. But few passengers consider one of the most serious threats of all: deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially life-threatening condition that can result from extended periods of travel.

As mentioned in this article in the Union-Tribune, DVT occurs when blood clots form in the deep veins of the legs and thighs, which, unlike superficial veins, cannot be seen to the naked eye. When a clot forms, blood flow can become blocked, causing swelling, pain and in serious cases, embolisms, which can cause tissue death, respiratory failure, or other potentially fatal conditions. In rare cases, an embolism can travel paradoxically from the right to the left side of the heart via a small hole called the patent foreman ovale and cause a stroke. This is the most common way strokes occur in young patients.

Mitch Bowan, an Aeromedevac Chief Flight Nurse, explains, “as with many travel related ailments Deep Vein Thrombosis is often caused because the patient was unaware of the danger. Deep Vein Thrombosis can be prevented with regular movement, stretching and drinking plenty of water as the article in the Union-Tribune recommends. This is especially true for travelers over the age of sixty, those with mobility issues and smokers. It is important to consider your own health and these preventative measures when embarking on long periods of travel.”

Have safe & happy travels this holiday season!

What Do You Do If You Become Sick or Injured Abroad

Aeromedevac — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:43:12 +0000

What do you do if you get sick or injured on your trip overseas? You are in a foreign country and aren’t familiar with the place you are in, yet the medical system; this can be very scary. Here are some tips if this happens to you:

See a doctor right away if you:

Have diarrhea AND a high fever (above 102° F)
Have bloody diarrhea
Are visiting a malaria-risk area and become sick with a fever or flu-like illness
Are bitten or scratched by an animal
Have been in a car accident
Have been seriously injured
Are sexually assaulted

Drink plenty of clean water or other fluids to replace any lost body fluids (usually caused by diarrhea). For severe diarrhea, you may want to use oral rehydration solutions (ORS).

Contact the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate if you think you may need assistance. Consular personnel at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad and in the U.S. are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens.

Read more tips on what to do in this article. Visit Aeromedevac’s website for ways we can help you in case of an emergency while you are abroad.

Our Thoughts are with Family and Friends of Dan Wheldon

Aeromedevac — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:55:50 +0000

Our thoughts go out to the friends and family of Indy 500 winner, Dan Wheldon. The NASCAR driver died Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after his car became ensnared in a fiery 15-car pileup, flew over another vehicle and landed in a catch fence just outside turn 2. Wheldon was airlifted from the track to University Medical Center; about two hours later, his colleagues were told of his death by IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard, who said Wheldon’s injuries were “unsurvivable.” Read more about the incident in this article.

It is instances like these where our services are valuable. Read more about air ambulances and the services we provide on our website.

It is instances like these where air transport is very important.

Stay Healthy While Abroad

Aeromedevac — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:06:59 +0000

It is always important to stay healthy, especially while traveling abroad. Here are a few tips to be sure you have a healthy trip:

1. Be sure you are up to date with all of your vaccinations.

2. If you are traveling through a malarial area, be sure that you have the right antimalarial medicine for the region.

3. If traveling with a prescription, make sure you have a copy of the prescription and a letter from your doctor stating the name of the medicine, the dosage, how much you need to travel with, and state that the medicine is for your personal use.

4. Always bring a first aid kit!

Read more tips in this article. Stay safe and healthy abroad! For more information about how Aeromedevac can help you, visit their website.

Aeromedevac Will Attend ITIC in Portugal

Aeromedevac — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 22:42:09 +0000

From October 31st through November 3rd, Aeromedevac team members will network with professionals in the travel insurance industry at the International Travel Insurance Conference for the 7th year in a row. Jesus Mendez, Vice President, and Sergio Abril, Vice President of Mexico Operations, will present attendees with information on the emergency medical care and air ambulance industry; providing potentially necessary solutions to challenges faced on a daily basis.

The conference addresses the most topical issues relevant to all sectors of the travel insurance market. Speakers and panelists are leading industry professionals who will deliver an innovative outlook on their specialties, and panel sessions offer the opportunity to participate in expertly driven debates.

Visit Aeromedevac’s website for more information on their medical care & air ambulance program.

What are you covered for?

Aeromedevac — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 05:01:05 +0000

Are you covered by Medicare or Medi-cal and planning on traveling internationally? There are a few things you should know before leaving the country. Medicare does not provide health care coverage outside of the United States and its respective territories. While Medi-cal only provides coverage for emergency services that require hospitalization in Canada and/or Mexico. Getting ill happens at the most inconvenient times, and Aeromedevac is here to help you along the way.

There is no better way to plan for accidents, sudden illnesses, and medical emergencies than purchasing a plan that covers you while abroad. Our air ambulance services leave no rock unturned. In fact, our services include everything from customs and immigration to a mobile emergency room.

If you have any questions regarding your medical coverage, we would love to assist you. Please contact us toll free at 1-800-462-0911!

Medicine in the digital age

Aeromedevac — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 03:18:03 +0000

With the advent of the digital realm, healthcare has changed drastically. Remote applications, like those available on the iPhone, have given healthcare professionals a new avenue to treat patients. While most medical applications are used to compile information or reference, the iPhone app created by BinaryLabs named Dexteria is allowing patients to receive therapy remotely. Technology has come a long way.

Dexteria helps strengthen coordination of motor skills and handwriting through specialized hand exercises. The app comes highly praised by therapists and parents, and has risen to #1 on the top of sales iTunes App store. It’s not only suggested for people with special needs, but also to help young children develop their motor skills.

For more information on the app click here.

Tips for travelers

Aeromedevac — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 06:15:35 +0000

Traveling abroad? Have you considered your safety? Here are some tips before you jet off!

Have any legal affairs and documents in order before you leave your home. You should be prepared for any emergency that may arise. For example, if you have children that are minors consider appointing guardianship. Be sure to leave legal documents (i.e. a current will) with a friend or family member that you trust. Also, make a photo copy of documents like your passport, visa, insurance card and medical information for yourself and a trusted friend/family member.
Leave a copy of your itinerary with a friend or family member in case of an emergency.
Travel light and carry all your legal documents (i.e. passports) on you. If you wear prescription glasses, pack an extra pair. Be sure to pack any essentials like ibuprofen, Benadryl and sunscreen. These basics could cost you an arm and a leg, if you plan on purchasing at your destination.
To avoid problems with medications while passing through customs be sure to keep medicines in their original containers, bring copies of prescriptions and if you’re carry a narcotic be sure to have a letter from your doctor.
Call your healthcare provider and inquire about their coverage plans outside of the country. Are you covered for medical emergencies in foreign countries? What will be covered? What will the costs be? Insurance providers will also be able to provide any pertinent travel information, so it’s a good idea to ask questions about your destination.
Government-funded healthcare like Medicaid, Medical, and Medicare do not provide coverage outside of the United States. If your insurance provider does provide coverage outside of the United States, it is essential that you purchase travel medical coverage from providers like Medex.
If you have any trouble figuring out what your provider covers, feel free to call us for a complimentary consultation. We will also be happy to provide answers for any questions or concerns that you may have. http://www.aeromedevac.com/
Don’t forget to research your destination!

For some more GREAT tips check out http://travel.state.gov/travel./tips/tips_1232.html.

Fall Travel Safety

Aeromedevac — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:06:47 +0000

Fall is a beautiful time of the year for traveling. Fall’s nature changes are breath taking and free for all to see. Don’t let the excitement of your Fall trip turn into a disaster. Aeromedevac wants you to have a great vacation so here are a few health and safety trips for your fall travel.

Be sure to plan your trip ahead of time and be fully prepared. If you are traveling via car, make sure your car is in good condition for driving and has plenty of gas. As beautiful as country roads are in the Fall, they are not somewhere you would like to be stranded on. Be sure your phone is fully charged and you have a road side assistance number in case of emergencies.

Look into the weather for your destination. Make sure you pack the correct kind of clothes for the place you are going. Rain gear is never a bad idea to have during the Fall months. Along with your clothes, pack medicine. A first aid kit is a smart thing to have with you, along with allergy medicine. Also, don’t forget water and snacks for your travels!

Have a safe and wonderful Fall vacation! Visit Aeromedevac’s website for more information on how they contribute to safe travel.

Aeromedevac Sponsor of 11th Annual Institute of Cruise Ship Medicine Conference

Aeromedevac — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 22:27:53 +0000

Accidents can happen anywhere and anytime but Aeromedevac strives to ease the inconvenience of these occurrences. As part of these efforts, Aeromedevac was a Platinum Sponsor at the 11^th Annual Institute of Cruise Ship Medicine Conference in Miami put on my Carnival Cruise Lines. In attendance at this event were representatives from Holland America, Seabourn, Princess Cruise Lines and Carnival UK.

Aeromedevac was a guest on the disembark panel which was focusing on medevacs directly from the ships instead of placing the guests in a shore side hospital facility where they will incur additional costs. VP Jesus Mendez, Lisbeth Banks and Dr. Andres Smith discussed “disembarking,” explaining the process and challenges of getting medical patients off of cruise liners, coordinating helicopter evacuations and repatriating citizens who may have lost their travel documentation.