Good Neighbor Insurance, Inc provides top-notch international travel insurance benefits that include medical replacement benefits for our clients traveling outside their state / province / country. You may view one of our best evacuation travel plans at www.onlineglobalhealthinsurance.com/global-rescue.asp that include this wonderful travel insurance benefit of medicine replacement.
Background
While on a hunting trip deep in Canada’s Yukon Territory, a Global Rescue member suffered symptoms indicative of a potentially life threatening blood clot in his leg. The member, a physician himself, contacted Global Rescue via satellite phone to request that Global Rescue deliver medication that would prevent the clot from becoming worse.
Challenges
- Extremely remote location
- Prescribing medication across borders
- Rough terrain and limited area for landing aircraft
Mission Summary
Global Rescue immediately put assets on alert to evacuate the member, if requested. Rotary and fixed-wing aircraft specially designed for short takeoffs and landings on improvised runways were placed on standby. The member, not wanting to interrupt his trip, requested an aerial delivery of the medication rather than an evacuation. Global Rescue facilitated telephone conferences among Global Rescue physicians, the member’s home physician, and Canadian physicians to discuss the best method of treatment.
Because regulations prevent doctors from prescribing medications across borders, Global Rescue utilized its Canadian resources to identify a doctor who could prescribe the medication locally. After filling the prescription, the medication and supplies were hand-couriered at first light via fixed-wing aircraft. The bush plane landed on a small dirt landing strip supported by a sandbar approximately 100 yards from the member’s location less than 24-hours from first contact with the member.
Outcome
Global Rescue successfully delivered critical medical supplies to a remote location. The medication was administered in the field and the potentially fatal blood clot was properly managed before it caused additional harm.
Doug Gulleson loves to scuba dive overseas and makes sure he has his U.S. health care and overseas health care, www.gninsurance.com/extreme-sports, information with him at all times when he travels.
