Air ambulance

An aircraft service that transports patients or medical personnel for urgent or specialized care. It can provide medical treatment during flight or simply move patients between facilities.

Medical evacuation: The movement of ill or injured people from danger or inadequate facilities to appropriate care. Air ambulances perform evacuations when ground transport is too slow, inaccessible, or unsafe.
Interfacility transport: The transfer of a patient from one healthcare facility to another. Air ambulances connect facilities when specialized treatment is unavailable locally or distance is substantial.
Critical care transport: The transfer of seriously ill or injured patients with advanced monitoring and treatment en route. Air ambulances are one transport setting for this level of care.
Ground ambulance: A road vehicle equipped to transport patients and provide medical care. Ground ambulances are usually cheaper and avoid aviation risks when roads and distance permit.
Helicopter emergency medical service: An emergency medical service that uses helicopters to reach patients and transport them to care. Helicopters can land near emergencies and shorten response times in difficult terrain.
Search and rescue: The coordinated search for and assistance of people in distress or imminent danger. Aircraft can locate, reach, and evacuate patients from places inaccessible to road vehicles.
Flight nurse: A nurse trained to provide patient care during air medical transport. Flight nurses assess and treat patients while adapting care to aircraft constraints.
Telemedicine: The delivery of healthcare services using telecommunications technology. Remote consultation can sometimes support local care without moving the patient by aircraft.
Fixed-wing air ambulance: An airplane configured to transport patients with medical personnel and equipment. Fixed-wing aircraft handle longer transfers between airports, often across regions or borders.
Disaster medicine: Medical planning and care for populations affected by disasters. Air transport can move casualties, clinicians, and supplies when local systems are overwhelmed.

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