How to Arrange a Planned Ambulance Transfer

A planned ambulance transfer is a scheduled medical transport that requires advance coordination, unlike a 112 emergency call where dispatch happens immediately based on urgency. Planned transfers cover situations like hospital-to-hospital moves, post-surgery discharge transport, dialysis appointments, and intercity patient relocations.

How It Differs from a 112 Emergency Call

When you call 112, the government dispatch center sends the nearest available ambulance to a life-threatening emergency. There is no scheduling, route planning, or equipment customization — the priority is speed [1]Source: Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510 — Article 65 (Travel and Transfer Expenses) — T.C. Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi.

A planned private ambulance transfer, by contrast, involves:

• Pre-scheduled timing aligned with hospital discharge or appointment
• Route planning optimized for the patient's condition and destination
• Equipment selection based on medical needs (stretcher type, monitoring devices, oxygen)
• Crew assignment matched to the clinical complexity of the case

7 Essential Information Items

When calling to arrange a planned transfer, have the following ready:

1. Patient name and age
2. Current location (hospital, home, care facility) with floor and room details
3. Destination with full address and receiving department
4. Medical condition including diagnosis, mobility status, and current medications
5. Required equipment — does the patient need oxygen, IV, cardiac monitor, ventilator?
6. Preferred date and time with flexibility window
7. Contact person who will be present at pickup and drop-off

Stretcher vs Wheelchair

When a Doctor-Led Ambulance Is Needed

A doctor-accompanied transfer is recommended when:

• The patient is on a ventilator or requires advanced airway management
• Post-cardiac surgery or recent ICU discharge
• Unstable vital signs requiring continuous physician assessment
• Complex medication management during transit
• Long-distance transfers with high clinical risk

Timing Recommendations

• Hospital discharge: Coordinate with the discharging doctor's schedule; confirm the discharge time before booking
• Morning transfers: Generally faster due to lighter traffic in Istanbul
• Intercity transfers: Start early to arrive before receiving hospital's admission cutoff
• Dialysis appointments: Book at least 24 hours in advance for recurring schedules

Common Planning Mistakes

• Calling too late — last-minute bookings may not get the right ambulance type
• Incomplete medical information — leads to wrong crew or equipment assignment
• Not confirming the destination's readiness — the receiving hospital must expect the patient
• Assuming SGK covers the cost — it does not; check private insurance beforehand

For planned ambulance transfers in Istanbul and across Turkey, contact Nova Ambulans at +90 216 339 00 39 or book via WhatsApp.