Boston MedFlight, coming off its busiest 12 months in historical past, is on observe to set one other file excessive for essential care medical transports as many sufferers have delayed therapy in the course of the pandemic.
The nonprofit’s groups moved greater than 5,600 sufferers by helicopter, airplane and floor ambulance throughout its fiscal 12 months 2021, which ends on Sept. 30. That comes out to a median of greater than 15 sufferers each 24 hours.
Last 12 months was a 19% soar over fiscal 12 months 2019 from earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, Boston MedFlight has cared for greater than 2,000 critically ailing COVID sufferers.
The virus contributed to 2021 being the busiest 12 months ever, however “it’s not the whole story,” stated Boston MedFlight CEO Maura Hughes.
“What we’re seeing unfortunately during the pandemic is many patients who have delayed their care,” Hughes added. “Many patients with chronic illnesses didn’t want to go to the doctor’s office, maybe pushed off surgery, and now they’re presenting sicker than they would have in previous years.”
The busy development has continued this 12 months, as Boston MedFlight is transporting extra sufferers per day than all through final 12 months.
“If it keeps going at this pace, we’ll set another record in 2022,” Hughes stated.
The well being care system throughout the area has been understaffed over the last two difficult years.
“We’re able to move patients around the system to make sure no one hospital is overwhelmed,” Hughes stated.
Boston MedFlight just lately supplied essential care medical transport to its 90,000th affected person because the group’s founding in 1985.
Moving ahead, the nonprofit will quickly add a jet to its current fleet of essential care transport autos — which incorporates 5 twin-engine H145 helicopters and eight ambulances. Boston MedFlight shall be shopping for and renovating a medically configured Cessna Citation CJ4 jet airplane to move critically ailing or injured sufferers.
“We’ll be able to travel longer distances and serve farther patients,” Hughes stated. “We’ll be able to provide a lot more reach for our services.”
The group companions with a consortium of Boston-area hospitals, together with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston Medical Center, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Tufts Medical Center.
The nonprofit cares for sufferers with out regard for his or her insurance coverage standing or means to pay. Last 12 months, Boston MedFlight supplied greater than $7.2 million in free and unreimbursed care to sufferers with little or no insurance coverage.
Boston MedFlight seeks donations to assist its nonprofit mission. For extra data or to donate, go to www.cgiving.org/donate/BMFGiving.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”