Because a medical flight isn’t enough without a bed upon arrival
In a medical evacuation — whether regional or international — patient transport is only part of the equation. Even before an aircraft takes off, one fundamental step must be resolved: bed search. This logistical phase is often underestimated, but it’s a decisive element in the success of the transfer.
Here’s why it’s indispensable, and how teams like those at Airmedic ensure its rigorous and discreet management.
What is bed search, exactly?
Bed search consists of finding an available hospital bed in a facility capable of responding to the patient’s clinical condition. It’s not simply “finding a spot”: it means ensuring that the appropriate care unit (emergency, intensive care, neonatology, etc.) is ready to receive the patient, with the right staff and necessary equipment.
This process is essential in the following situations:
- Medical repatriation from another province or country
- Interhospital transfer to a specialized center
- Evacuation from a remote area to a tertiary hospital
Why is bed search so complex?
Contrary to what one might think, bed search is not done with a simple phone call. It involves:
- A detailed clinical evaluation of the patient
- Validation of the receiving facility’s admission criteria
- Coordination between multiple hospital services
- Logistical verification (staff availability, equipment compatibility, etc.)
Moreover, during times of strain on Quebec’s healthcare system — such as a pandemic, seasonal surges, or staff shortages — finding a bed becomes a real headache, even for urgent cases.
👉 To read: Emergency medical transport — what happens in the first hour?
A critical step in international repatriations
In an international medical repatriation, bed search becomes even more strategic. It requires:
- Identify a receiving facility in Canada that is recognized by Health Canada
- Obtaining medical acceptance
- Ensuring the patient can be admitted upon landing
- Coordinate with the medical staff to ensure the patient’s arrival and a smooth transition
In other words, even if a medical aircraft is ready for takeoff, the lack of bed confirmation at the destination delays the mission.
No bed, no mission: the consequences of a missing link
Even if an aircraft is ready, the medical team is mobilized, and the patient is stabilized, the absence of a bed upon arrival blocks everything:
- The flight must be postponed
- The patient remains in an unsuitable facility
- The patient’s health may deteriorate
- Unnecessary logistical costs accumulate
In short, bed search isn’t an administrative detail — it’s a vital step in the continuum of care.
Airmedic’s expertise: integrated and proactive coordination
At Airmedic, we know that logistics don’t end with the aircraft. Our case managers intervene early to ensure that a bed is not only available but also perfectly suited to the patient’s condition.
Our teams can notably:
- Handle procedures with healthcare facilities in Quebec and internationally
- Provide the required translated medical reports
- Manage admission refusals or redirect quickly to another facility
- Coordinate the entire mission, from abroad to the final hospital bed
Thus, we understand your needs: fast, efficient solutions that comply with clinical and administrative protocols.
Also read: The growing demand for international air ambulance services in 2025
An even more urgent reality in remote regions
In northern or rural regions, hospital resources remain limited, as highlighted by the Collège des médecins du Québec. As a result, patients often need to be transferred to urban centers. However, these centers can also be overwhelmed.
Thanks to its network knowledge and connections with healthcare facilities, Airmedic’s team optimizes this complex logistical step so that each patient has a bed in the right place, at the right time.
To read: Medical evacuation in forgotten territories — extreme logistics
Conclusion: Bed search — an invisible but essential pillar
Bed search is undoubtedly one of the most critical elements of a medical evacuation mission. It’s a structuring step for any successful medical transfer. At Airmedic, we’ve made it an operational priority — just like in-flight safety and onboard medical expertise.
✈️ Need a partner for your medical transfers?
Write to us now at [email protected].
