Medical Transport After Stroke – Safe Patient Transfer

Stroke is one of the most serious medical emergencies, requiring immediate response and proper care. Transporting a stroke patient is a crucial element of the chain of survival and requires a specialized approach and appropriate medical equipment.

Why Does Stroke Transport Require Special Attention?

A stroke causes interruption of blood flow to the brain, leading to damage of nerve tissue. Time is critical – every minute of delay can mean the loss of millions of nerve cells. Therefore, transport must be:

• Fast – minimizing transport time
• Safe – avoiding additional injuries and complications
• Monitored – continuous control of vital functions
• Specialized – team trained in stroke patient care

Stroke Symptoms – When to Call Medical Transport?

Recognizing stroke symptoms according to the FAST test can save lives:

• F (Face) – facial asymmetry, drooping corner of mouth
• A (Arms) – weakness of one upper limb
• S (Speech) – speech disorders, slurred speech
• T (Time) – time – call for help immediately!

Other symptoms may include: sudden severe headache, dizziness, vision problems, loss of balance, or impaired consciousness.

Standards for Medical Transport After Stroke

1. Ambulance Equipment

Professional stroke patient transport requires an ambulance equipped with:

• Vital signs monitor – blood pressure, pulse, saturation, ECG
• Oxygen and ventilation system – in case of breathing problems
• Defibrillator – in case of cardiac arrest
• Emergency medications – including anticoagulants
• Head and neck stabilization – preventing additional injuries

2. Medical Team Competencies

The team transporting a stroke patient should have:

• Training in stroke recognition and management
• Ability to assess NIHSS scale (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)
• Knowledge of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke protocols
• Experience in monitoring and stabilizing neurological patients

3. Transport Procedures

During transport, it is crucial to:

• Continuous monitoring – vital parameters every 5-10 minutes
• Patient position – head elevated 30°, unless contraindicated
• Maintain airway patency – especially important with impaired consciousness
• Blood pressure control – avoiding excessive blood pressure fluctuations
• Communication with destination center – preparing the stroke team

Domestic vs. International Transport

Domestic Transport

In Poland, stroke patients are transported to stroke units, which have specialized equipment and experienced personnel. Domestic transport is usually carried out by type S (specialized) ambulance.

International Transport

Repatriation of a stroke patient from abroad requires:

• Doctor and nurse with experience in neurological transport
• Complete medical documentation in Polish or English
• Coordination with insurer and medical facilities
• Appropriate equipment for long-term monitoring

Post-Stroke Phase – Transport to Rehabilitation

After stabilizing the patient's condition, transport to a rehabilitation center is often necessary. In this phase, it is important to:

• Patient comfort – comfortable position, avoiding prolonged immobilization
• Psychological support – empathetic communication with patient and family
• Continuation of treatment – administering medications as recommended
• Prevention of complications – pressure sores, thrombosis, infections

How Does MarMed Transport Stroke Patients?

At MarMed, we provide:

• Experienced medical team – trained in neurological patient care
• Modern equipment – monitoring, oxygen, emergency medications
• Quick response – efficient transport organization
• Comprehensive coordination – from incident location to destination center
• Domestic and international transport – including repatriations from Europe

Conclusions

Transporting a stroke patient is not just moving from point A to B. It is professional medical care in motion, which can determine the patient's life and health. Critical factors include: speed of response, appropriate equipment, team competencies, and proper monitoring throughout the transport.

If you need medical transport for a stroke patient – contact us. We operate 24/7 in Poland and Europe.