title: [Repatriation of patients fallen ill abroad].
abstract: Due to our medical ethics, welfare of the patient is the first to consider. The therapy applied should not be influenced by any financial, administrative or political considerations. Yet, patient repatriation is such a special medical field, where the interest of an insurance company can often owerwrite medical considerations. The missing protocol of long-distance patient transportation and of repatriation in general, the by-passing of medical responsibility enables malpractice. Unfortunately, practitioners know little about the basic terms of repatriation. The authors review the indications and basic terms of patient repatriation, and the basic considerations on the fit-for-transportation of the patient. The patient transportation vehicles and their availability for the different forms of repatriation modalities are analysed as well. It was found that the form and timing of repatriation should be carefully selected, in order to prevent further deterioration of the patient's status; it must ensure maximum protection of the patient during the transport. The patient's interest must be the first, all the other considerations (financial, social etc.) may come afterwards.
authors.affiliation: SOS Hungary Orvosi Szolgálat Budapest. soshungary@invitel.hu
authors.forename: Péter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Felkai
authors.forename: László
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gorove
mesh_terms: D017732:Air Ambulances; D000552:Ambulances; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D007348:Insurance, Health; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D014195:Travel