Fast track needed for safe Covid-19 patient transport

President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Commission are making €220 million available to finance safe cross-border transfers of patients. “The spread of the virus will overwhelm our healthcare systems if we don’t act urgently,” President Ursula von der Leyen explained. She encouraged member states to share data on ICU capacity, where capacity is lacking, and to increase cross-border patient care.  

The EpiShuttle provides a completely sealed barrier between an infectious patient and the surrounding environment, protecting both craft and professionals. At the same time, it allows patient monitoring and full intensive care treatment during transport, including emergency procedures like intubation and insertion of central venous catheters. It is cost efficient and can be re-used for subsequent missions.  

Money needed to fund safe isolation 

European patient transport is scrambling for money to fund safe isolation and transport. Time is of the essence to make these crucial funds available to organizations, Ellen Cathrine Andersen, CEO of EpiGuard said.  

"We must be able to transport Covid-19 patients to where ICU capacity is available. Only when safe transport is in place can we utilize the full capacity of the entire healthcare system and ensure treatment for everyone”, Andersen said. "Healthcare workers are making an admirable effort transporting patients. However, disinfection of helicopters, aircraft and ambulances after each transport takes so much time, the whole transport system may collapse.” 

"EpiGuard is currently experiencing a surge in demand for the EpiShuttle. With the numbers of confirmed cases increasing, the need for safe transport of patients is rising. Current demand witnesses Europe in crisis, and EpiGuard will scale up production. The EpiShuttle is NATOs stock listed and CE-marked as a class one medical device. We are prepared and ready to deploy.”