Possible care protocols for patients undergoing road transfer on a biocontainment stretcher model N 36 (36 m³ air ˃60 ACH)

Abstract

The practice of transporting a patient affected by a Highly Transmissible Disease (HTD) with a high risk of fatal evolution using biocontainment isolators requires careful planning and preparation. To date, there is only limited literature regarding aeromedical transport, most of which is military-derived, and it does not address patient transfer by road vehicles. To standardize these practices, or at least some of their most critical aspects, we tried to schematize a few of the improvements each author implemented during their practices as a scaffold, which could eventually be based on operative protocols. In particular, we focused on the series of actions that needed to be performed and planned to guarantee the safety of both the patient and operators during the entire duration of the operations.

Keywords

• Biocontainment
• infection control
• bioisolator
• ambulance
• medical evacuation