Repatriating a ventilated patient
This page specifically addresses repatriating a ventilated patient. The information helps prepare an individual transport dossier and does not replace assessment or treatment by the responsible physician.
Stable airway before departure
When repatriating a ventilated patient, a stable airway before departure is assessed as a separate decision point. The departure team asks who confirms this, how current the information is and what practical or medical action is still required.
The outcome regarding a stable airway before departure is recorded with its source and time. If the condition, route or waiting time changes, a new assessment is carried out rather than automatically adhering to the previous plan.
For this aspect, it is clear who remains responsible during transport and who receives the information in Belgium. The patient departs only when the next safe care link is genuinely available.
Sedation pumps and current medication
When repatriating a ventilated patient, sedation pumps and current medication are assessed as a separate decision point. The departure team asks who confirms this, how current the information is and what practical or medical action is still required.
The outcome regarding sedation pumps and current medication is recorded with its source and time. If the condition, route or waiting time changes, a new assessment is carried out rather than automatically adhering to the previous plan.
For this aspect, it is clear who remains responsible during transport and who receives the information in Belgium. The patient departs only when the next safe care link is genuinely available.
Ventilator alarm and manual emergency alternative
When repatriating a ventilated patient, a ventilator alarm and manual emergency alternative are assessed as a separate decision point. The departure team asks who confirms this, how current the information is and what practical or medical action is still required.
The outcome regarding a ventilator alarm and manual emergency alternative is recorded with its source and time. If the condition, route or waiting time changes, a new assessment is carried out rather than automatically adhering to the previous plan.
For this aspect, it is clear who remains responsible during transport and who receives the information in Belgium. The patient departs only when the next safe care link is genuinely available.
Sufficient oxygen for delays
When repatriating a ventilated patient, sufficient oxygen for delays is assessed as a separate decision point. The departure team asks who confirms this, how current the information is and what practical or medical action is still required.
The outcome regarding sufficient oxygen for delays is recorded with its source and time. If the condition, route or waiting time changes, a new assessment is carried out rather than automatically adhering to the previous plan.
For this aspect, it is clear who remains responsible during transport and who receives the information in Belgium. The patient departs only when the next safe care link is genuinely available.
Continuous capnography and monitoring where required
When repatriating a ventilated patient, continuous capnography and monitoring where required are assessed as a separate decision point. The departure team asks who confirms this, how current the information is and what practical or medical action is still required.
The outcome regarding continuous capnography and monitoring where required is recorded with its source and time. If the condition, route or waiting time changes, a new assessment is carried out rather than automatically adhering to the previous plan.
For this aspect, it is clear who remains responsible during transport and who receives the information in Belgium. The patient departs only when the next safe care link is genuinely available.
Direct handover to intensive care
When repatriating a ventilated patient, direct handover to intensive care is assessed as a separate decision point. The departure team asks who confirms this, how current the information is and what practical or medical action is still required.
The outcome regarding direct handover to intensive care is recorded with its source and time. If the condition, route or waiting time changes, a new assessment is carried out rather than automatically adhering to the previous plan.
For this aspect, it is clear who remains responsible during transport and who receives the information in Belgium. The patient departs only when the next safe care link is genuinely available.
Six separate practical checks
Practical check 1: stable airway before departure
A stable airway before departure is assigned its own responsible person and check time in this dossier. The information is verified directly with the authorised source before staff or transport are definitively deployed.
If the stable airway before departure changes during the route, the associated decision is reconsidered. The escort records the change, the response chosen and the person in Belgium who was informed.
There is also an alternative for a stable airway before departure if the initial plan proves infeasible. This means the patient does not have to continue travelling unsafely solely to retain an earlier schedule.
Practical check 2: sedation pumps and current medication
Sedation pumps and current medication are assigned their own responsible person and check time in this dossier. The information is verified directly with the authorised source before staff or transport are definitively deployed.
If sedation pumps and current medication change during the route, the associated decision is reconsidered. The escort records the change, the response chosen and the person in Belgium who was informed.
There is also an alternative for sedation pumps and current medication if the initial plan proves infeasible. This means the patient does not have to continue travelling unsafely solely to retain an earlier schedule.
Practical check 3: ventilator alarm and manual emergency alternative
A ventilator alarm and manual emergency alternative are assigned their own responsible person and check time in this dossier. The information is verified directly with the authorised source before staff or transport are definitively deployed.
If the ventilator alarm and manual emergency alternative change during the route, the associated decision is reconsidered. The escort records the change, the response chosen and the person in Belgium who was informed.
There is also an alternative for a ventilator alarm and manual emergency alternative if the initial plan proves infeasible. This means the patient does not have to continue travelling unsafely solely to retain an earlier schedule.
Practical check 4: sufficient oxygen for delays
Sufficient oxygen for delays is assigned its own responsible person and check time in this dossier. The information is verified directly with the authorised source before staff or transport are definitively deployed.
If sufficient oxygen for delays changes during the route, the associated decision is reconsidered. The escort records the change, the response chosen and the person in Belgium who was informed.
There is also an alternative for sufficient oxygen for delays if the initial plan proves infeasible. This means the patient does not have to continue travelling unsafely solely to retain an earlier schedule.
Practical check 5: continuous capnography and monitoring where required
Continuous capnography and monitoring where required are assigned their own responsible person and check time in this dossier. The information is verified directly with the authorised source before staff or transport are definitively deployed.
If continuous capnography and monitoring where required change during the route, the associated decision is reconsidered. The escort records the change, the response chosen and the person in Belgium who was informed.
There is also an alternative for continuous capnography and monitoring where required if the initial plan proves infeasible. This means the patient does not have to continue travelling unsafely solely to retain an earlier schedule.
Practical check 6: direct handover to intensive care
Direct handover to intensive care is assigned its own responsible person and check time in this dossier. The information is verified directly with the authorised source before staff or transport are definitively deployed.
If direct handover to intensive care changes during the route, the associated decision is reconsidered. The escort records the change, the response chosen and the person in Belgium who was informed.
There is also an alternative for direct handover to intensive care if the initial plan proves infeasible. This means the patient does not have to continue travelling unsafely solely to retain an earlier schedule.