Welcome to the most recent International Private Medical Insurance Magazine exclusive air ambulance medical transportation round table business forum. In this exclusive debate we talk about the international medical transportation sector of the business. With a focus on fleet capabilities, on-board technology, medication and payor-provider relations the round table takes a closer look at the global providers assisting iPMI insurers and insureds.

Exclusive C-Suite executive commentary from FAI, Jet Executive, MedcareProfessional and Tyrol.

THIS WEEK AIRMED BECAME THE FIRST EVER EUROPEAN AIR AMBULANCE OPERATOR TO SUCCESSFULLY APPLY FOR AND GAIN CAMTS (COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF MEDICAL TRANSPORT SYSTEMS) ACCREDITATION.

“This is a huge achievement” says David Quayle, Chief Flight Nurse of AirMed who led the accreditation process. “We are one of only two operators situated outside North America who have received this accreditation and on top of that we are one of only 4 operators worldwide who have achieved dual accreditation from both CAMTS and EURAMI (European Aeromedical Institute)”.

AirMed decided to prepare and apply for CAMTS in 2013. This decision was driven mainly by the U.S. insurance and assistance market which more readily recognises CAMTS accreditation standards. “Following discussions with prospective new U.S based clients, it became clear that there was a growing need that their air ambulance providers had to not only have accreditation, but specifically CAMTS accreditation. We therefore took the decision to start the application process.”Explains Jane Topliss, Director of Business Development.

“One of the major difficulties that we had to face when going through this process is the fact that the CAMTS standards are derived from the U.S. healthcare and aviation regulatory system. Despite the feeling that the UK is closely aligned with the U.S., when it comes to both of these complex areas we are actually more closely aligned with continental Europe” confirms Mr Quayle. “We had to adapt the criteria of each aspect of the CAMTS standards to our UK system in a way that still demonstrated clear compliance”.

CAMTS standards and auditing procedures are extremely rigorous with two auditors examining all of the required documentary evidence and speaking directly to many members of the team over the course of at least two days – they really do leave no stones unturned. Clients and patients can be assured that Air Ambulance companies which comply really do work to the very highest worldwide standards.

The comprehensive application and auditing process of CAMTS looks at every aspect of a company’s operation including aircraft maintenance, flight and ground operations, training across the organisation and, of course, patient management and clinical governance. Our Safety Management System is an example of this and an area where AirMed excelled. Unlike the U.S. it has been a legal requirement from an aviation operations perspective in Europe to have a Safety Management System in place for several years. AirMed’s companywide system is extremely advanced and well established and it is upon this risk management system that all company decisions are made; for example, the implementation of multi-crew operations across the entire fleet of aircraft in 2014.

“We are absolutely delighted to have achieved this accreditation. The team work extremely hard every day to ensure that a high quality service is provided to our clients and most importantly to our patients. To be able to have this great teamwork recognised is the perfect tribute to their dedication” concludes Ms Topliss.

Northwest MedStar received an Airbus H135 (formerly EC135) helicopter adding to their expansive fleet of twenty-one critical care transportation units serving a multi-state territory.

"This is an additional, long-term investment in Northwest MedStar's critical care operations," said Nancy Vorhees, Chief Administrative Office for Inland Northwest Health Services, Northwest MedStar's parent company. "For decades our critical care teams have worked with health care professionals to provide life-saving services, and that commitment will continue for years to come."

The Airbus H135 helicopter includes the next generation of avionics and enhanced situational awareness for pilots. Northwest MedStar purchased the helicopter and had it modified for air medical services.  The aircraft, based in Spokane, provides services throughout the Inland Northwest.

Northwest MedStar's fleet is comprised of eight helicopters, five airplanes (fixed wings) and eight critical care ground units located at six base locations including Missoula, Mont., Spokane, Moses Lake, Brewster, Tri-Cities and Palouse region.

Air ambulance services are sophisticated and advanced medical services provided in a mobile environment. These services have become an essential component of the modern healthcare system. The medical critical care transport saves lives as it is an effective way to shift or carry critical patients to healthcare facilities. The air ambulance transport services are used in war-torn regions, during natural disasters, outburst of epidemics and road accidents.

Global Air Ambulance market to grow at a CAGR of 9.57 percent over the period 2014-2019.

As an innovative industry leader, Angel MedFlight Worldwide Air Ambulance implements a world-class training and development program to ensure every employee is equipped with the necessary tools to excel in his or her job function.

This requires remaining on the cutting edge of technology and education in two ever-evolving industries: aviation and healthcare.

Matt Greenwell, RN, CFRN, NREMT-P, FP-C, Angel MedFlight's Director of Clinical Operations teaches a Flight Physiology training course. He explains how pressure and altitude affect patients and the medical flight crew alike. Everything is measured in pressure and how it affects people differently; a patient is going to react differently at sea level than at 40,000 feet. "It's very important that the patient's history and condition is taken into consideration when the flight coordinators plan the flight," said Greenwell, adding, "Altitude and air density, cabin pressure and the condition of the patient all play a role in coordinating a flight and determining the correct altitude and cabin pressure."

Angel MedFlight's training curriculum is comprised of specialized instruction from each department including aviation, aviation maintenance, safety, operations, flight coordination, medical, quality management, legal, claims, human resources, IT and business development.

Employees are trained to understand the role of each job function and how they integrate; streamlining the overall communication process.

Employee training is an ongoing process; with continuing education requirements. An important part of Angel MedFlight's training program is a course designed for Flight Coordinators. It is imperative for Flight Coordinators to know how flights operate, the medical and technical aspects involved to accurately determine each patient's medical needs.

Leading Air Ambulance Company Launch Brand New DIGITAL Marketing Campaign To Include Executive Round Tables, Display Advertising, SEM and SEO, Case Studies, Press Releases, Videos, Email Marketing, Executive 1 to One Interviews.

In summer 1976 the first injured person was flown home by Tyrol Air Ambulance (at the time still Tyrolean Air Ambulance).

Since then, some 3,000 patients rely on the know-how of Tyrol Air Ambulance every year. In 1983 Tyrol Air Ambulance was responsible for establishing the helicopter rescue of the Christophorus air rescue association.

In 1990 as scheduled air ambulance service was established – unique in the world at the time. After a management buy-out in 1999, the company became part of the Welcome Air Group; in April 2000 the company was renamed as Tyrol Air Ambulance.

More info visit: http://www.taa.at

PT Astra International Tbk (“Astra”) and Aviva plc (“Aviva”), the UK’s largest insurer, have signed an agreement to form Astra Aviva Life, a 50-50 joint venture to sell and distribute life insurance products in Indonesia.

Astra Aviva Life will be the preferred provider of a range of life insurance products to Astra and its subsidiaries. Subject to regulatory approvals, Astra Aviva Life will enter into distribution arrangements with a number of the Astra group companies, including PermataBank.

The joint venture will also offer life insurance to the wider consumer market through a variety of digital, agency and partner channels. Established in 1957, Astra serves more than 10 million customers per year through market leading businesses in six segments: automotive, financial services, heavy equipment & mining, agribusiness, infrastructure & logistics, and information technology.

Astra consists of 179 companies including subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities and employs more than 197,000 people across Indonesia. Indonesia has 245 million people, the fourth largest population in the world, and recorded 6.2% gross domestic product growth in 2012*. It is one of the fastest growing life insurance markets globally, with low levels of insurance penetration and a rapidly expanding middle class. During the period 2002-2012 life insurance premiums grew at a compound annual growth rate of 25%+.

Prijono Sugiarto, President Director of Astra International, said: “Astra Aviva Life has the potential to become a leader in Indonesia. Leveraging Aviva’s insurance expertise, Astra Aviva Life aims to create significant long-term value for its customers, employees and stakeholders. This joint venture is in line with Astra’s strategy to continue to expand and diversify, entering new business areas in which we believe we can create a market-leading business underpinned by our values and management philosophy.”

Mark Wilson, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aviva plc, said: “Astra is a hugely respected household name in Indonesia and the ideal partner for Aviva in one of the world’s fastest growing insurance markets. This joint venture creates a compelling growth opportunity, underlines our commitment to Asia and supports our strategy of cash flow plus growth. This joint venture is good for Aviva, good for Astra and good for our customers.”

The agreement is subject to regulatory approval. The joint venture is expected to be launched later this year.

* World Development Indicators, The World Bank + Swiss Re Sigma Report No 3/2013, World Insurance in 2012. Page 36

European Air Ambulance (EAA) is one of the largest air ambulance service providers in Europe offering worldwide air ambulance repatriation with outstanding end-to-end patient care.

EAA founders DRF Luftrettung and Luxembourg Air Ambulance have a combined record of over 45 successful years of experience in air ambulance services. Both together operate more than 50 helicopters and 7 air ambulance aircraft and have performed over 650.000 missions.

Get more information about European Air Ambulance (EAA) at http://www.air-ambulance.com

Related Reading: EAA Joins List Of AMREF Flying Doctors’ Professional Partners

European Air Ambulance (EAA) is one of the largest air ambulance service providers in Europe offering worldwide air ambulance repatriation with outstanding end-to-end patient care.

EAA founders DRF Luftrettung and Luxembourg Air Ambulance have a combined record of over 45 successful years of experience in air ambulance services. Both together operate more than 50 helicopters and 7 air ambulance aircraft and have performed over 650.000 missions.

Get more information about European Air Ambulance (EAA) at http://www.air-ambulance.com

Related Reading: EAA Joins List Of AMREF Flying Doctors’ Professional Partners