What criteria justify the need for air ambulance transport?

The criteria justifying the need for air ambulance transport focus primarily on medical necessity rather than logistical convenience or patient preference. When patients have critical injuries or require specialized care that is not readily available at local facilities, air ambulance transport becomes essential. This type of transport is designed to save lives by facilitating rapid access to higher-level medical care, such as trauma centers or specialty hospitals that have the necessary resources and expertise to handle severe cases.

In contrast, other scenarios such as minor injuries, patient requests for faster transport, or simple transport logistics do not typically meet the medical urgency that air ambulance services are designed to address. Air ambulance resources are limited and should be reserved for situations where they can provide the most benefit, specifically in cases involving critical care needs.