[Hungarians fallen ill abroad: questions of repatriation].
In the previous part of the paper authors described the repatriation process, the complex medical task of the patient returning home from abroad, and in particular its most crucial phase, the patient repatriation. Authors reviewed the indications and the basic terms of the patient-repatriation. Vehicles and their availability for the different type of repatriation modalities were analyzed as well. In the second part of the paper, the authors analyze the professional aspects and the decision making procedure on the repatriation. Unfortunately, sometimes the treating doctor does not realize the minimum terms of the ability for the transport of the patient. Therefore he might provide an incorrect suggestion on the time and modality of the repatriation. The responsibility of the transport belongs to the doctor who makes the decision, and to the medical team, who performs the repatriation, respectively. The decision has to be made by the doctor of the insurance company, upon detailed and correct medical information. When a non-professional person is involved into the decision making, patient can be jeopardized; and the repatriation process can be failed. The medical transport is a medical activity in Hungary, therefore it must be performed according to the medical regulations and to the professional standards, the protocols and the transport should be carefully documented. Employees of the assistance team of the insurance companies must be familiar with that regulations and protocols.
Felkai
Péter
P
SOS Hungary Orvosi Szolgálat, Budapest. soshungary@invitel.hu
Gorove
László
L
D017732:Air Ambulances; D003657:Decision Making; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D010819:Physician's Role; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D014195:Travel