How Intercity Patient Transport Works

Intercity patient transport connects two care points across long distance. Unlike short urban transfers, it requires broader planning for route continuity, clinical monitoring, and handover timing. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasises that "delays of minutes can make the difference between life and death" in post-crash and time-critical care, which is why route timing matters as much as in-cabin equipment. [2]Source: WHO — Road Traffic Injuries Fact Sheet — World Health Organization

Families in İstanbul often ask which steps matter most. The short answer: patient risk profile, destination readiness, and the right team configuration. Turkey's Ambulance Services Regulation (8 January 2025) classifies vehicles as emergency, patient transport, and ICU types, and Article 30/1-k requires that intercity ground ambulances "may not make extended out-of-province waits except for crew rest, patient placement, or technical reasons" [1]Source: Ambulance and Emergency Health Vehicles Regulation (Official Gazette 8/1/2025-32776) — T.C. Ministry of Health — making rest stops a planned operational element. [4]Source: Mevzuat Information System — Ambulance Regulation — Turkish Legislation Database

Intercity Patient Transport in 5 Steps

Step 1: Clinical Pre-Assessment

When a family member or relative calls, the operations team gathers:

• Whether the patient is bed-bound
• Walking ability and sitting tolerance
• Whether supplemental oxygen is needed
• Current diagnosis and treatment status
• Device dependence (ventilator, infusion pump)
• Latest vital signs (from the physician report)

This assessment is the basis for choosing the right service level and team. [1]Source: Ambulance and Emergency Health Vehicles Regulation (Official Gazette 8/1/2025-32776) — T.C. Ministry of Health

Step 2: Address and Logistics

Pickup and delivery details directly affect the operation:

• Pickup point: Home or hospital? Floor, elevator, stretcher-clearance width
• Delivery point: Which hospital/address? Which department? Is admission confirmed?
• Building access: Narrow stairs, parking, garden/threshold conditions
• Companion: Who accompanies, and will they travel separately?

Step 3: Ambulance and Team Assignment

The appropriate ambulance class and crew are selected based on patient condition:

For most cases, intercity transport is planned with expanded monitoring; higher-risk patients may need an ICU ambulance, and if urgent deterioration risk exists, emergency ambulance capability is prioritized.

Step 4: Route Planning

Route planning is critical for intercity transfers. KGM's Real-Time Road Conditions System publishes closure and ice warnings live, and the crew checks this feed before the operation. [3]Source: KGM — Real-Time Road Conditions System — Turkish General Directorate of Highways Article 30/1-k of the Ambulance Services Regulation (8 January 2025) provides that ground ambulances "may not make extended out-of-province waits except for crew rest, patient placement at the receiving facility, or technical reasons" [4]Source: Mevzuat Information System — Ambulance Regulation — Turkish Legislation Database — making the crew rest stop a natural part of the logistics.

• The safest and fastest route is determined
• Weather and road conditions (winter ice, fog, snow) are evaluated
• Rest stops are planned (fuel, crew rest)
• Highway works and toll costs are factored in
• An alternate route is identified

Step 5: Transport and Handover

The crew arrives at the pickup point at the scheduled time:

1. The patient's condition is assessed on site
2. Safe stretcher loading is performed
3. Continuous vital monitoring is maintained throughout the route (at 15-minute intervals)
4. On arrival, clinical information is handed over in SBAR format
5. Handover vital signs are recorded

Distance and Time Table

Frequently requested routes from central İstanbul:

Note: Times are calculated for ideal road conditions. Winter conditions, heavy traffic, and rest stops may add time.

Documents to Prepare

A checklist to prepare before transport day:

Medical Documents

• Discharge/epicrisis report
• Medication list and last dose times
• Laboratory results (last 48 hours)
• Imaging CD/file (if available)
• Physician recommendation / referral document (if available)

Personal Documents

• ID card / copy of identity document
• Insurance policy (if private health insurance applies)
• SGK document (for public hospital admission)

Coordination Information

• Destination hospital admission information and confirmation
• Companion contact number
• Emergency contact of a relative

Insurance and Payment

SGK (Social Security)

SGK does not cover a private ambulance service the patient requests on their own initiative. However, under the SGK referral system, ambulance fees for interhospital transfers made with a medical-necessity report may be partially covered at the minimum tariff. [5]Source: SGK — Health Services Pricing Commission — Social Security Institution

Private Health Insurance

• Depending on the policy, emergency transfers may be reimbursed at a high rate
• Some policies also reimburse planned transfers partially or fully
• Confirmation with your insurer before the service is recommended
• Nova Ambulans issues insurance-compliant invoices

Clinical Monitoring En Route

Because intercity routes are long, uninterrupted clinical monitoring is mandatory:

• Every 15 minutes: Vital signs (BP, pulse, SpO₂) are recorded
• Every 2 hours: Position change (pressure-injury prevention)
• Continuous: Oxygen saturation and cardiac rhythm monitoring (doctor-accompanied/ICU)
• As needed: IV medication, suction, analgesia

For transfer planning support — for example, an İstanbul-Trabzon route of ~1,070 km / 12-13 hours requiring an ICU configuration, scheduled crew rest, and destination-hospital admission confirmation under regulation m.30/1-k — call Nova Ambulans at 0216 339 00 39.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should an intercity transfer always be by ambulance?

Patients who need a stretcher, have low sitting tolerance, require continuous monitoring, or cannot board/exit a regular vehicle should be transported by ambulance. Patients who can walk and are clinically stable may travel in a regular vehicle with a companion.

Can a companion travel in the ambulance?

On standard transfers, one companion is accepted; ICU ambulances may have limited capacity, so simply state this when you call.

How far in advance should it be planned?

For planned transfers, calling at least one day in advance improves crew and vehicle coordination. 24/7 support is available for emergencies.

Are rest stops made along the way?

On long-distance transfers, planned stops are made for fuel, crew rest, and patient comfort; stop points are set during route planning.

Is night travel possible?

Night transfers offer the advantage of traffic-free roads. Nova Ambulans operates 24/7 and applies no night surcharge.

Can transport be arranged from another city to İstanbul?

Nova Ambulans provides bidirectional service from all 81 provinces to İstanbul and from İstanbul to all 81 provinces.