Issue 7 2020

20 Acquisition International - Issue 7 2020 Healthcare Heroes Did you know that every three minutes, a traveller needs emergency medical treatment abroad? For those people in need of urgent assistance, the team at Angels of Flight Canada Inc. are a godsend, providing expert medical advice in a challenging situation. Earning the title of Most Outstanding Aeromedical Transportation Company 2020 – Canada in the ongoing Global Excellence Awards 2020, we look more closely at this incredible organization and the impressive work that its team undertakes. perating globally for over 30 years, Angels of Flight is a wholly owned and operated Canadian organization focused on finding solutions for those facing medical challenges away from home. Specializing in the movement of the ill or injured from countries around the world is a complex process and certainly daunting for the inexperienced. No two situations are ever alike which is why the comprehensive services of medical transportation by air or ground are tailored to individual needs. No matter where in the world you are, this hardworking team are with you every step of the way! Early intervention has always been the key to success, and much of what Angels of Flight does is designed to make the best of a sensitive situation. People in a medical crisis need the right help at the right time, and time is seldom their friend in these situations. Saving critical time and hospitalization costs are the goals for achieving the best possible result. O Feb20465 “We firmly advocate that travellers purchase hospitalization and repatriation travel insurance but often travellers think “nothing is going to happen to me” and they choose not to pay the perceived high premiums. While the principles of patient care are always held to a high standard, a trusting relationship must be established to instill confidence that the decisions being made will be in the best interests of the patient. To accomplish a successful outcome, not only are security and safety at the forefront, but it is incumbent that the best possible options are discussed and understood, expectations are managed, networking with service providers and stakeholders is continuous and the appropriate care team is selected. CEO, Gail Courneyea, has plenty of experience in this field. She’s been CEO since founding the company in 1988. It was designed to fill a gap, to provide essential care that, at the time, had no provision. Her own experience, sixteen years as a critical care nurse at the Peterborough Civic Hospital is just one of the aspects that she has brought to her role. We asked Gail to further explain the connection between Canadian healthcare and Angels of Flight: “It is the connection with our Canadian Healthcare Professionals with knowledge and experience acquired over the decades that not only makes the real difference but is the uniqueness of our service. Having a Registered Nurse advocate is a lifeline of hope when people are at their most vulnerable point. They have questions and they are often fearful of what comes next because for the first time, they are faced with many unknowns.” It is the expertise of the company’s team of Registered Nurses – their patience, commitment and dedication to helping those in need with their medical situation – which drives the continued success of Angels of Flight. They are able to truly understand the unique challenges that are being faced by their patients. Adept problem solvers, every effort is made to ensure the anxiety and stress of an incident is alleviated, with many hours spent evaluating options and implementing the appropriate strategy. Many people fail to appreciate that flight environments are distinctive. It is the specially trained Registered Nurses who understand how to care for people with