Transport of patients on oxygen in Tunisia

When to arrange a transport on oxygen

A patient may need oxygen during medical transport in many situations:

• returning home after a hospital stay;
• admission to a clinic or hospital;
• transfer between two care facilities;
• a planned consultation or test;
• a journey to a specialist centre;
• long-distance medical transport;
• an airport connection or ground medical repatriation;
• transport of a patient already on home oxygen therapy.

The presence of oxygen does not automatically mean a fully medicalised ambulance is required. The arrangement is defined by the patient's stability, the medical prescription, ongoing treatments and the conditions expected during the journey.

An arrangement suited to the patient's condition

Before confirming the transport, EMS gathers the information needed to prepare the journey safely. It is important to tell us:

• the prescribed oxygen flow rate;
• the device used, nasal cannula or mask;
• the expected duration of the journey;
• the patient's usual mobility and the transport position required;
• any medical devices in use;
• the need for monitoring during the journey;
• the pick-up point, the destination and their access conditions;
• the details of the person or team receiving the patient.

For a transfer between two facilities, these needs are settled with the medical team of the discharging ward.

Patient transport or medicalised ambulance

The type of transport depends on the clinical situation. A stable patient on long-term oxygen therapy can often travel as a planned patient transport, with an oxygen reserve matched to the length of the journey. A medicalised ambulance becomes necessary when the patient is at risk of deteriorating, or when closer monitoring, additional equipment or a specific professional escort is requested. The aim is to deploy what is genuinely needed, neither underestimating the patient's needs nor committing a disproportionate set-up.

Preparing the oxygen before departure

The oxygen available must cover:

• settling the patient in;
• the estimated length of the journey;
• any waiting;
• the handover on arrival;
• an appropriate safety margin.

Autonomy depends on the cylinder's capacity, its pressure and the prescribed flow rate. This check is carried out before departure by a competent person. The family or the escort must never adjust the prescribed flow rate on their own.

Equipment safety during the journey

Oxygen cylinders are secured and fastened inside the vehicle. During the journey:

• no cigarette or naked flame may be present;
• oxygen is kept away from heat sources and sparks;
• connections are checked;
• equipment is not moved without care;
• the delivery device stays correctly positioned.

These measures protect the patient, the people travelling with them and the transport crew.

Transfer between two clinics or hospitals

For an inter-hospital transfer on oxygen, the discharging facility passes the useful information to the transport crew. Before departure, the following should be confirmed:

• the patient's acceptance by the receiving facility;
• the receiving ward and its contact;
• the oxygen flow rate;
• ongoing treatments or devices;
• any position restrictions;
• the medical documents travelling with the patient;
• the expected handover time.

On arrival, the patient is handed over to the staff of the designated ward with the information and documents needed for continuity of care.