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KidneyVault by Paragonix
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Flight Services, Organ Donation

Perfusion in Organ Transplants Meets Safe Organ Delivery Systems

Organ transplantation has become one of the most remarkable medical advancements of the last century, offering hope and a new lease on life for patients suffering from end-stage organ failure. One of the key challenges in transplant medicine is ensuring that organs remain viable from the time they are harvested from a donor to the moment they are transplanted into the recipient. This complex process involves specialized techniques in organ preservation, with two critical components: organ perfusion and safe transport. Let’s dive into understanding what those two terms actually mean for the world of medicine and logistics…

What Is Perfusion in Organ Transplantation?

Perfusion refers to the process of delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues through the bloodstream. In the context of organ transplantation, perfusion involves maintaining the viability of an organ after it has been removed from the donor’s body but before it is transplanted into the recipient. This is critical because, without adequate perfusion, the organ would begin to deteriorate and lose its function, making it unsuitable for transplantation.

Hypothermic preservation and normothermic preservation are two methods aiming to slow down cellular metabolism, minimizing damage to the organ and extending the time it remains viable for transplantation. Since the approach to perfusion can significantly affect the organ’s recovery post-transplant and the overall success of the procedure, it’s important to understand the differences between the two.

Hypothermic Preservation vs. Normothermic Preservation

Hypothermic Preservation is the traditional method for organ transport, involving cooling the organ to a temperature of around 40 degrees fahrenheit. The idea behind hypothermic preservation is to reduce metabolic activity and decrease the demand for oxygen, which helps prevent cellular damage during the transport process. The organ is typically flushed with a cold preservation solution, and then it is placed in an ice-filled cooler for transport to the recipient hospital.

While hypothermic preservation has been used successfully for decades, it has limitations. The cold temperature helps slow cellular degradation, but it doesn’t completely halt the process. In fact, certain organs, such as the heart and liver, are particularly vulnerable to damage during cold storage and may suffer from cold ischemia (injury caused by low temperatures) or reperfusion injury (damage that occurs when the organ is re-warmed and reintroduced to oxygenated blood).

In contrast, Normothermic preservation is an emerging technique in which the organ is maintained at normal body temperature (98.6 degrees) during transport, typically using a specialized perfusion machine. This method involves continuously pumping oxygenated blood or a blood-like solution through the organ, mimicking the conditions it would experience inside a living body. Normothermic preservation has shown promise in improving organ function post-transplant, as it allows the organ to “stay alive” during transport, reducing the potential for damage associated with cold storage.

One of the main benefits of normothermic perfusion is that it allows for more accurate assessment of an organ’s function before transplantation. This means that doctors can evaluate how the organ is functioning while it’s being transported, potentially identifying issues that might not be apparent with hypothermic storage. Longer transport times are another benefit to this method, giving transplant teams more flexibility in coordinating the logistics of the transplant.

The Importance of Safe Organ Transport and Logistics

Whether an organ is being transported using hypothermic or normothermic preservation, it is vital that it is delivered safely and efficiently to the transplant center. Organ transport is a highly regulated field, requiring attention to detail, careful planning, and adherence to strict protocols to ensure the organ remains viable. Even minor delays or mishandling can result in irreversible damage to the organ, and in turn mean canceling transplantations that could be essential to saving a life.

One essential aspect of safe organ transport is utilizing carriers who are highly trained and familiar with the specific regulatory and logistical challenges of medical transport. This includes compliance with formal standards and regulations, which govern the safe handling and transportation of items that could be harmful if mishandled.

The Role of Regulation and Carriers win Organ Transport

Organ transplant transportation, like the shipping of any biological or medical product, is subject to a range of regulations that govern its safe handling, packaging, and transport. The DG regulation (also known as Dangerous Goods regulations) ensures that biological materials, including human organs, are transported in a manner that protects both the integrity of the organ and the safety of the transport team.

Under DG regulations, organs must be transported in specially designed containers that meet specific criteria for temperature control, shock absorption, and protection from contamination. These containers must be clearly labeled with the appropriate risk and safety warnings, and transporters must follow protocols that minimize delays and ensure safe delivery. Carriers who handle organs must be familiar with these regulations, as any breach in compliance could lead to penalties or—more importantly—damage to the organ being transported.

Additionally, carriers must be well-versed in the time-sensitivity of organ transplantation. Organ transport must often occur within a narrow window of time, as organs begin to lose their viability after a certain period. Therefore, ensuring the organ arrives at its destination as quickly and safely as possible is essential to the success of the transplant. Medical logistics companies, therefore, play a crucial role in coordinating the journey of an organ from donor to recipient, including planning the optimal route, securing necessary permits, and preparing for any potential delays. Medi-Ops specifically takes all of these considerations into account and provides a comprehensive service for worry free organ transportation. 

The carrier’s role goes beyond just understanding DG regulations—they must also be well-versed in the specifics of organ transportation. This includes knowledge of how to handle the organ during transit, monitor its condition, and act quickly in the event of an emergency. Given the highly perishable nature of human organs, the carrier’s experience in medical transport is invaluable.

Some key responsibilities of the transport carrier include:

  • Ensuring proper packaging: Organs must be packaged in containers that are designed to maintain the correct temperature and provide shock resistance.
  • Coordinating with medical teams: The transport carrier often works closely with transplant coordinators and hospital staff to ensure that the organ is delivered to the correct location and on time.
  • Monitoring the organ during transport: Whether using hypothermic or normothermic preservation, the transport carrier must monitor the organ’s condition throughout the journey and report any issues to the relevant medical professionals.
  • Ensuring quick and efficient delivery: Time is of the essence in organ transport, so carriers must ensure that the journey is as swift and seamless as possible to reduce the risk of organ damage.

The transportation of organs is a complex and highly regulated process, requiring careful coordination, specialized knowledge, and adherence to strict guidelines. From maintaining organ perfusion to ensuring compliance with DG regulations, every step in the medical transport and logistics chain is crucial to the success of organ transplantation. 

As medical technologies advance, the development of new preservation methods—such as normothermic perfusion—holds the promise of further improving organ viability and expanding the range of possible transplant opportunities. At the same time, ensuring that these organs are transported safely and efficiently remains a critical challenge, demanding expertise in both the medical and logistical aspects of the transplant process. With the continued advancement of both technology and transport capabilities, organ transplantation will continue to save lives, offering patients hope for a brighter future.

Image courtesy of Paragonix Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Doctor holding patient's hand to emphasize how important safety is in healthcare logistics.
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Ambulance Services, Flight Services, Hospitals, Medical & Healthcare News, Wheelchair Transportation

Ensuring Patient Safety Focus in Medical Operations

Patient safety lies at the core of healthcare, encompassing all aspects of medical operations. It is the responsibility of healthcare providers to prioritize and implement measures to safeguard patients from potential harm and adverse events. From the moment patients seek medical attention to their journey throughout the healthcare system, ensuring their safety must remain paramount. When it comes to Medi-Ops’ role in medical logistics, patient safety is a high priority and consideration in every decision made.

Importance of Patient Safety in Medical Operations

Patient safety is not just a legal obligation; it is an ethical and moral imperative for healthcare providers. Every medical facility, regardless of its size or specialization, must adopt a patient-centered approach to guarantee safe and high-quality care. Making patient safety a priority means higher levels of patient trust and outcomes. Patients place their trust in healthcare providers during vulnerable times. By demonstrating a commitment to their safety, providers can strengthen patient trust and foster positive relationships. This also creates better outcomes, saving lives and promoting overall well-being for patients. 

Centering healthcare plans and operations around patient safety also reduces medical errors, whether medication, diagnostic, or procedural-related. Cultivating a space of open communication and implementing strict safety protocols significantly reduces errors, big and small, in the healthcare world. Clearly, facilities, providers, and other organizations involved in the healthcare industry should hold patient safety as their highest priority.

Patient Safety in Medical Transportation

One critical aspect of patient safety often overlooked is medical transportation. When patients need to be transferred between facilities, whether for specialized care, diagnostic tests, or medical emergencies, ensuring their safety during transit becomes of utmost importance. Here are some crucial considerations for patient safety in medical transportation:

1. Proper Vehicle Selection: Healthcare providers must ensure that the transportation vehicles used are appropriate for the patient’s condition and medical needs. Ambulances, ground vehicles, or air medical transport should be equipped to handle any emergency that might arise during transit. Specifically at Medi-Ops, our dispatch center connects clients to the proper form of transportation that will best meet their needs. Ambulance, air medical, or NEMT (non-emergency medical transportation) transportation all offer different types of patient transportation that will best suit different medical needs. Even within those categories, there are several different options that address different patient needs. Medi-Ops helps to navigate those options and the logistics and scheduling needed in order to create the smoothest, safest experience for patients and their families.

2. Trained and Certified Staff: Medical transportation teams should consist of well-trained professionals with the necessary expertise to address any medical situation during transport. From basic life support to advanced life-saving interventions, their skills are critical in ensuring patient safety. Different companies and services have specifically trained staff that can support specific medical transportation needs, whether those be emergent or non-emergent.

3. Adequate Communication and Coordination: Effective communication between the sending and receiving facilities is crucial to ensure a smooth transfer process. This includes sharing essential patient information, medical history, and ongoing treatments to prepare the receiving team adequately. This is why Medi-Ops has personalized operations coordinators to help clients get connected with the best-suited transportation options. As a medical logistics service, we can take care of all the communication and coordination to ensure an efficient, as-stress-free-as-possible transportation situation.

4. Monitoring and Equipment: Patients in transit may require continuous monitoring, especially those in critical condition. The transportation vehicles should be equipped with appropriate monitoring equipment to observe vital signs and respond promptly to any changes. For example, air medical transport services will be outfitted with all the necessary monitoring and equipment for trauma and emergencies, while NEMT companies wouldn’t contain that level of trauma equipment.

6. Adherence to Safety Standards: Compliance with safety regulations and standards set by governing bodies, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for ground transport or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for air medical transport, is essential to ensure patient safety. Various other certifications are required pending the vehicle and use as well. Safety compliance is essential in keeping logistics, operations, and transportation companies on the same page and in line with necessary safety standards.

Patient safety in medical operations is an all-encompassing responsibility that extends to every stage of a patient’s healthcare journey. Healthcare providers must continually strive to create a culture of safety and implement robust protocols to safeguard patients from harm. Patient safety in medical transportation is a crucial component that demands specific attention, as the transfer between facilities carries inherent risks. By recognizing the significance of patient safety and making it a priority, healthcare organizations can ensure that patients receive the highest quality of care possible and experience positive health outcomes throughout their medical journey.

Medi-Ops Private Jet
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Courier Services, Flight Services

Private vs Commercial Aircraft in Medical Cargo Transportation

When medical cargo can’t be transported via ground transportation due to location or time factors, air transportation becomes a viable option to efficiently complete any non-emergent or emergent transport. Private and commercial aircraft are used in medical transportation and in many of the trips we coordinate here at Medi-Ops. As in every medical transportation situation, certain transportation methods are better than others depending on the situation, product, location, and other factors. While Medi-Ops conducts both ground and air transportation, sometimes a ground transportation option just won’t cut it in extremely time-sensitive and long-distance transports. Air transportation is a great option for moving cargo, whether on a commercial or private flight. With the decision to utilize air transport, there are some key differences between private charter aircraft and commercial aircraft to consider.

One of the biggest differences to take into account when evaluating whether to use charter or commercial aircraft is turnaround time. You’ve probably utilized commercial airlines for personal transportation. Depending on whether you are a two-hour early person when it comes to traveling on an airplane or if you get there with just enough time to get through security, time planning is important to consider. This is no different from cargo transportation operations on commercial aircraft. When utilizing this service, there are deadlines to consider. Cargo must arrive at the airport one hour before the flight and has a one-hour recovery time at the destination. Commercial aircraft operators also have cargo stations with fluctuating operation hours that can hinder transportation quality for time-sensitive cargo. 

Private aircraft charters are much more flexible with time constraints since they have access to smaller airports and can provide immediate recovery. Smaller airports allow for a faster pick-up, drop-off, and turnaround time. Sometimes there are products being transported that have extremely small shelf lives or specific, time-related travel needs. In these cases, using a private aircraft might be a better option to ensure the product’s quality and that it arrives at its destination in a timely manner. All in all, private aircraft charter flights are faster and can be more time-effective than commercial flights.

Looking at the numbers, there are around 12,039 private flights conducted per day. In addition the that sky-high (literally) number, there are 14,551 private airports around the United States compared to the 5,082 public airports. Looking at airports alone, the significantly higher number of private airports allows for an incredible number of options in location for transport and the ability to get products as close as possible to different locations. Turning to commercial flights, around 25,000 flights per day are operated by commercial airlines. This is a significant number of flight options, locations, and times. Clearly, commercial flight options can still be an incredible way to transport cargo and medical products if times, locations, and flights line up well.

So with all of this information, what kind of flight is best for each cargo transportation situation? When it comes down to it, time is the biggest factor here. If cargo is time-critical, like biotechnology products or emergency blood or organ transportation, a charter flight can save time and doesn’t require relying on commercial airlines. This is the highest level of reliability and security you can find in air transportation. Commercial airlines are still a valuable option to have when transports aren’t quite as time-sensitive. Medi-Ops’ next flight out (NFO) services as well as on-board courier services continue to ensure the safety of cargo throughout transport when utilizing commercial flights.

Biotechnology companies can now look to charter flights as a viable option for transportation since these products often require specific transportation procedures and have short shelf lives. The radiopharmaceutical industry is rapidly growing and often requires immediate transportation as these products have extremely specific transportation requirements in addition to specific time windows. Most often, these products aren’t allowed on commercial flights, creating a great opportunity to utilize charter flights instead. The extra level of efficiency, safety, and security provided by charter flights makes them perfect for these types of transport situations.

Medi-Ops has a large network of both commercial and private charter operators, providing an extensive web of flight options. Whatever the situation and cargo conditions, medical transportation has never been easier or faster than when utilizing our services. The specific routing technology provided through our software also allows clients to not only select the most appropriate form of transportation for their cargo but also track the product and see where it is and when it arrives in real-time. Our 24/7 dispatch center is also always available to guide clients through selecting the optimal mode of transportation for their cargo and scheduling those orders. Private and commercial flights have provided incredible strides in medical transportation. Those innovations and the security and reliability of Medi-Ops create industry-leading security and reliability for every transport.

Daytime,Detailed,View,Of,The,Back,Of,An,Ambulance.
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Ambulance Services, Flight Services, Wheelchair Transportation

An Overview of Patient Transportation Methods

When you hear the phrase medical transportation, your mind most likely goes to an individual transported in an ambulance to a hospital. Lights. Sirens. The whole thing. Transporting patients and those needing medical attention is a massive portion of medical transportation. The medical transportation industry also involves moving products, supplies, and courier transportation both on the ground and in the air. The specific aspect of patient transportation and what that can look like with different situations and services can be overwhelming, and many don’t know the different processes and options that exist. What are the forms of patient transportation? And, how does Medi-Ops step into this arena?

Ambulance Transportation

Utilizing ambulances is widely understood as an optimal method of emergency patient transportation. With efficient timing and professional care during transport, this is an incredibly safe and secure option in emergencies and for unstable patients or those requiring immediate care. There are several types of ambulance transportation including ICU, NICU, and pediatric transportation along with bariatric and stretcher transport. The type of ambulance used for each of these specific situations is important to provide the patient with the best care possible.

How does ambulance transportation fall into the bandwidth of Medi-Ops? With a centralized dispatch center, all needs will be met in a timely fashion. Our contracts with ICU Critical Care Transport Companies, NICU and pediatric transport companies, and ALS and BLS companies allow us to schedule and send ambulance services in any situation. Clients calling for ambulance services are never turned away, and with one phone call to Medi-Ops, the correct service for the client’s situation is determined as we locate the appropriate ambulance crew or company closest to the client’s location. Taking care of all of these logistics and locating the correct ambulance to give the best services to our client is taken with the utmost importance, as emergencies are stressful and time is of the essence. With company connections, dispatch services, and live tracking, each client is met with exactly what they need with ambulance transportation through Medi-Ops.

Air Medical Transportation

Emergencies are extremely time-evident and sometimes ambulances just won’t make the cut when a patient needs to travel long distances or to a specific facility. That’s where air medical transportation comes in. Usually, a patient with immediate burns, traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries, organ transplant recipients, head, or respiratory injuries will require air transportation due to the severity of their condition and the extreme time sensitivity of immediate medical attention. Often, patients with extreme injuries such as these will need to be transported to certain facilities that specialize in treatment for their condition. While ambulance transportation is also sometimes used in these cases, air medical transportation provides a faster and more efficient option for those requiring long-distance transportation or those that are in extremely critical condition.

Medi-Ops delivers air medical transportation for patients that require…

  • Air ambulance transport: Patients are moved from their location to a facility that can give them the medical attention they need via helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft
  • ALS and BLS transport: ALS (advanced life support) and BLS (basic life support) can both be administered through air medical transportation services. ALS transport is for patients in more critical condition and has the equipment and staff to treat more life-threatening cases. BLS transport involves EMTs and basic equipment to handle cases that don’t require advanced procedures during transportation.
  • Bariatric transport: Bariatric transport is designed for individuals whose size causes physical and mobility limitations. Professionaly-trained staff, specifically-designed stretchers and equipment, and vehicles with a large enough interior are used in these cases.
  • Commercial flight escorts: When patients are in stable enough condition to go on a commercial flight, a professionally-trained escort can accompany them in order to administer any medications, minor procedures, and overall safety of the patient. If a patient qualifies for this option, a commercial flight is generally more cost-effective than an air ambulance.

In taking care of scheduling, staffing, punctuality, and choosing the correct air medical services for the patient’s specific situation, Medi-Ops allows the client to feel cared for and safe while focusing on what is important. 

Wheelchair and NEMT Transportation

Non-emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) is not typically the immediate thought of an individual when thinking of patient and medical transport. However, NEMT transportation is a significant part of the everyday lives of many patients and clients. These services are most often used for those with recurring office visits or hospital discharges. Lack of transportation is the main reason why medical appointments are missed, and NEMT can help decrease the risks that come with missed appointments and services. Older populations face these problems regularly, and the utilization of NEMT creates an ease of patient transportation to allow individuals to avoid transportation stress and instead focus on their physical and mental health.

Medi-Ops utilizes our personalized operations coordinators to direct a client with the most effective services and operators upon evaluating medical and financial needs. NEMT transportation has a wide berth including rideshare, ambulatory, wheelchair, and stretcher transport. In addition to offering these services directly to the individual, facilities can partner with Medi-Ops for designated NEMT vehicles, ensuring the highest and most accessible level of patient care possible.

Patient transportation involves several different facets and options, all delivering a patient-first approach to the individual. When in a medical situation, there is always a specific form of transportation that will be most beneficial to the individual requiring care. All of these options and services can sometimes feel overwhelming, and it may not always be obvious which provider, service, and transportation form is the best option. Thankfully, Medi-Ops can help to determine the ideal service and form of transportation for each and every client’s situation.

Medi-Ops Rotor Aircraft Operator
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Courier Services, Flight Services

Rural Communities & Medical Logistics

One of the best things about Colorado is the mountains and remote locations that the state offers. Mountain communities are secluded and peaceful, making them the perfect places to reside or escape for a weekend. The thing about these rural communities is that access to them can be difficult. This not only impacts the traveler, but also the community’s needs for emergency transport. What does emergency transport look like for these communities? How do they operate and what are the solutions to get these rural hospitals what they need?

Rural hospitals are the backbones of the communities that surround them. With all of the wonderful things these hospitals do, transportation can be a struggle due to factors with location and accessibility. Even with hospitals that involve more difficult access, the need for blood product, specimens, and medical equipment doesn’t decrease! These hospitals still require the same urgent transportation of medical products that any other medical facility would. All those mountain towns mentioned above? Think about the factors that could go into shipments and transportation operations – weather, terrain, distance, urgency, and the list goes on. These are real challenges that communities face, and no one wants to deal with those maddening logistics!

These challenging factors create situations where driving and road transportation might not be the fastest, safest, or most efficient option for medical and urgent transportation. These communities are also decently far from blood banks, distribution centers, and important facilities such as these. One option that stands out as a solution is utilizing commercial aircraft, charter rotor aircraft, or fixed-wing aircraft. These transportation options help to meet the urgent needs of rural communities. 

Once a community decides to explore the option of aircraft transportation, ground transportation is still utilized in order to pick these shipments up from distribution centers or blood banks, bring the product to the airport, and then have another transport pick the product up when it lands and deliver it to the final destination. Managing insurance, TSA qualifications, contracts, and other logistics are important in this process as well to create the safest optimal environment for the product being transported. 

Transportation challenges. Aircraft options. Ground transport logistics. This is still quite a list of things to manage when requiring urgent transport. Thankfully, logistics partners such as Medi-Ops can step into the process and help to manage this transportation network in order to meet the needs of and best serve these communities. With Medi-Ops, these various logistics are all taken care of in creating and executing the optimal transportation plan. Through utilizing relationships with commercial aircraft, shipments can be added to these flights that have excess baggage space through Next Flight Out services. Medi-Ops also has partnerships with rotor aircraft and fixed-wing, creating accessibility to all. Instead of a rural hospital having to set up transportation to pick up a medical shipment, bring it to the airport, coordinate a separate transport to pick it up from the receiving airport, and bring it to the hospital, on top of managing their insurance, various qualifications from the TSA, contracts, and other legal and safety logistics, the rural hospital could just set the trip up with Medi-Ops, who will work alongside them to pick the best methods of transportation for the hospital and their product.

In 2020, Medi-Ops partnered with Heli-Ops to continue providing the best transportation possible. Rotor aircraft are essential in reaching remote areas quickly, as they can land almost anywhere and move at high speeds. These aircraft do have a shorter range than fixed-wing aircraft, making the relationships with both types essential when determining optimal transportation in any situation.

The utilization of these alternate services in transportation, for example, a mountain hospital that is out of blood product, can get the product there in two hours instead of the eight hours that it would take between driving through winter roads, terrain, and other barriers. Medi-Ops has established relationships with rotor aircraft carriers in addition to commercial airlines that create the ideal transportation situations for these rural communities.

Medical transportation, especially to and from rural hospitals and medical facilities, can entail an incredible number of hard-to-sort logistics. Involving logistics partners like Medi-Ops will help to create transportation networks that are of the highest safety, efficiency, and quality. Time is of the essence in transportation situations and Medi-Ops is able to eliminate unnecessary pains in the logistics process, so hospitals can focus on their operations without having to worry as much about transportation and whether or not they are going to have a product on time.

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