Istanbul Patient Transfer Ambulance

Patient transfer means moving a patient who has difficulty getting around, or who needs medical supervision along the way, from one place to another by ambulance. We have been doing this work since 2015. All 9 ambulances in our fleet are ICU-equipped; whether a transfer is planned days in advance or requested the same day, we plan it with both the patient's safety and the family's routine in mind.

Net Ambulans at a Glance

Which side of the city are you on?

Transfer conditions differ considerably between the two sides of the city. That is why we have prepared a separate page for each side:

• Asian Side patient transfer: 14 districts from Kadıköy to Şile. Transfers across the bridges, Sabiha Gökçen Airport transfers, and remote locations such as Şile and Adalar (the Princes' Islands).
• European Side patient transfer: 25 districts from Bakırköy to Silivri. The narrow streets of the historic peninsula, the large city hospitals, Istanbul Airport and the northern districts.

Our patient transfer services

• Home-to-hospital transfer: A home-to-hospital transfer means picking the patient up from their address and taking them to the hospital for an examination, tests, surgery or admission. Our team moves the patient out of the home on a stretcher or carry chair, monitors their condition along the way and accompanies them all the way to the hospital's admissions unit.
• Hospital-to-home (discharge) transfer: A discharge transfer covers collecting a patient whose treatment is complete from the ward and settling them safely at home. Once the discharge summary (epicrisis) and medication list have been received, the patient is moved into the ambulance; the team stays with the patient until they are settled in bed at home and gives the family basic guidance.
• Inter-hospital transfer: An inter-hospital transfer means moving a patient from one healthcare facility to another because they need advanced tests, a specialist opinion or an ICU bed. After speaking with the sending hospital and obtaining the approval of the receiving physician, the transfer is carried out with a vehicle and team suited to the patient's clinical condition.
• Dialysis, chemotherapy and physical therapy transfers: For patients who need to go to the hospital several times a week for dialysis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or physical therapy, a regular transfer plan is set up. When session times are shared in advance, outbound and return transfers are scheduled on the same routine, easing the burden on the patient and the family.
• Bedridden patient transfer: Bedridden patient transfer means safely moving patients who cannot sit up or walk on their own by stretcher. Conditions such as narrow hallways, buildings without elevators and stairs are asked about during the call; the number of team members and the carrying equipment are arranged based on this information, and there is no extra charge for carrying patients in buildings without elevators.
• ICU (ventilator) transfer: ICU transfer is for critically ill patients who need respiratory support, continuous monitoring or medication infusions. These transfers are planned with our ICU-equipped ambulances and, depending on the request and the patient's condition, a team that includes a doctor or a paramedic; suitability is confirmed together with the assessment of the patient's physician.
• Airport transfer: An airport transfer means moving patients who are arriving by plane or about to travel between Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport and a hospital or home. The flight time, the airline's patient acceptance requirements and the required documents are discussed in advance, and the transfer is timed accordingly.
• Intercity patient transfer: Intercity patient transfers are road transfers from Istanbul to another province or from another province to Istanbul; our most frequent destinations are İzmir, Bursa and Antalya. The oxygen, medication and rest-stop plan the patient will need on the long journey is prepared in advance, and the team monitors the patient regularly throughout the trip.

We explain how ICU, intercity and international transfers are prepared in detail on our transfer ambulance service page, and the regular transfer plan for dialysis and chemotherapy in this article.

Our ambulances and medical team

All of the ambulances in our fleet are in the red-striped emergency ambulance class and are equipped for ICU transfers: every vehicle carries a ventilator, monitor, defibrillator, suction unit, oxygen system and stretcher. Since there is no difference in equipment between the vehicle sent for a discharge and the one carrying a patient on a ventilator, what really makes the difference is the team.

Together with you, we decide whether the team will include a doctor, a paramedic or an emergency medical technician, based on your request and the patient's condition. On a physician-accompanied ICU transfer, the doctor stays at the patient's side for the entire journey. If you are curious about the differences between ambulance classes, take a look at our transfer ambulance page.

Hospitals we frequently transfer to

We frequently carry out transfers to and from the hospitals below. We do not claim any official partnership with the institutions on this list; we also plan transfers to other public, university and private hospitals in Istanbul.

• Başakşehir Çam ve Sakura Şehir Hastanesi (Başakşehir)
• Acıbadem Atakent Hastanesi (Küçükçekmece)
• Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşcıoğlu Şehir Hastanesi (Şişli)

How does a patient transfer work?

• Call and initial information: When you call 0212 912 51 84, our call team asks about the patient's age, diagnosis, level of consciousness, oxygen needs and the pickup address. The transfer date, destination and, if applicable, the hospital discharge time are noted at this stage.
• Deciding on the team and equipment: Based on the information gathered, we determine which equipment will be prepared in our ICU-equipped ambulance. Whether the team will include a doctor, a paramedic or an emergency medical technician is finalized according to your request and the patient's needs, and you are informed.
• Pickup from the address: The team arrives at the address at the agreed time, gives the patient a brief assessment and moves them to the vehicle on a stretcher or carry chair. In buildings without elevators or with narrow stairs, the patient is carried with their safety as the priority, using suitable equipment, at no extra charge.
• Monitoring during the transfer: During the journey, the medical team monitors the patient's vital signs, such as pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation, and intervenes when necessary. The route is planned around traffic conditions; on long transfers, interim checks are made for the patient's comfort.
• Handover: At the destination, the patient is taken all the way to the staff of the relevant hospital unit, or to their bed at home, and handed over. Any observations made during the transfer are passed on to the receiving team or the patient's family, and the transfer is complete.

The cost of a patient transfer is not set by a fixed tariff; it is determined by the specific conditions of each transfer. The factors below directly affect the price; for exact information, call 0212 912 51 84 and share the details of the transfer.

What determines the cost of a patient transfer?

The cost of a patient transfer is not set by a fixed tariff. The distance and route, the medical support the patient needs, whether a doctor is on the team, the waiting time and the time of the transfer determine the price. We do not charge extra for carrying patients in buildings without elevators. For a quote tailored to you, simply call 0212 912 51 84 and share the details of the transfer.

• Distance and route: The distance between the pickup and drop-off points, whether a bridge crossing is involved, and whether the transfer is within the city or intercity are among the main factors that determine the cost.
• Medical support needs: All of our ambulances are ICU-equipped; whether the patient needs advanced medical support such as a ventilator, continuous monitoring or medication therapy is reflected in the transfer plan and the cost.
• Medical team: Whether a physician, paramedic or emergency medical technician is on board, and how many people are on the team, is determined by the patient's clinical condition and affects the price.
• Waiting time: Waiting for hospital discharge procedures to be completed, the team staying with the patient during tests, or a round-trip transfer all change the total time and the cost.
• Time and urgency: Transfers planned in advance and those requested the same day or at night differ in terms of planning; the timing of the request is taken into account in pricing.

Why does patient transfer in Istanbul require planning?

In Istanbul, patient transfer is less about distance and more about timing and route planning. The bridges connecting the two sides of the city become congested at certain times of the day, and hospital discharge procedures mostly fall around midday. That is why, when setting the transfer time, you need to consider not only when the patient will be ready but also the road conditions.

For a planned transfer, our team confirms the following information in advance:

• The pickup address, floor information and whether a vehicle can pull up to the building
• The name of the hospital unit at the destination and the patient admission time
• Devices the patient uses: such as an oxygen concentrator, feeding pump or catheter
• Whether a companion will come along (1 person can accompany the patient in the ambulance) and the belongings to be transported with the patient

What the family should prepare on discharge day

Discharge day often takes longer than expected. After the physician's rounds, the discharge summary is prepared, prescriptions are written and administrative procedures are completed. During this process, an ambulance arriving too early and waiting for a long time can both increase the cost and cause unnecessary fatigue for the patient. Finding out the estimated discharge time from the ward nurse and passing it on to us ensures the vehicle is at the door at the right time.

Preparing the room where the patient will stay before they return home is also important. Making the bed accessible from both sides, setting up an air mattress or hospital bed in advance if one will be used, and clearing obstacles such as rugs and coffee tables from the path help the team settle the patient safely.

We have gathered every step, from documents to preparing the home, into a checklist in our post-discharge patient transfer guide.

Safe transport for bedridden patients

Moving a bedridden patient is not just a matter of lifting. The risk of pressure sores, keeping catheters and tubes from becoming dislodged, keeping pain under control and protecting the patient's privacy must all be attended to at the same time. When moving the patient from the bed to the stretcher, our team uses aids such as slide sheets and explains every movement to the patient beforehand.

In buildings without an elevator, or where the elevator cannot fit a stretcher, a stair-type carry chair may be preferred. If the patient's condition does not allow a seated position, they are carried on a stretcher with additional staff. The information you share about the patient's weight, ability to sit and the width of the stairs is key to making this decision correctly.

Our article explaining the preparation and carrying equipment step by step: How is a bedridden patient moved from home to the hospital?

What to watch for after the transfer

Once the transfer is complete, it is helpful to monitor the patient closely during the first few hours. Especially after a long journey, fatigue, changes in blood pressure or increased pain may occur. If any of the following occurs, call 112 without delay:

• Confusion or unresponsiveness
• Marked shortness of breath or bluish lips
• Chest pain or sudden weakness
• Bleeding that cannot be stopped

Following the medication and care instructions given by the patient's physician is the most important step toward a safe recovery at home. At Net Ambulans, we share what we observed during the transfer with the patient's family and, when we consider it necessary, recommend that you contact the patient's physician.

Why Net Ambulans?

• Licensed service: Net Ambulans operates under a license within the framework of the regulations governing private ambulance services, and works in compliance with vehicle and personnel requirements.
• Experienced medical team: With experience gained since 2015, a team suited to the patient's condition is assigned to every transfer from our staff of around 50 doctors, paramedics, EMTs, nurses and drivers; a doctor's accompaniment is planned on request.
• 24/7 calls: Transfer requests are handled every day of the week, day and night, including public holidays, on 0212 912 51 84.
• Transparent information: Before the transfer, the team structure, equipment and the items that affect the cost are shared openly; the patient's family is kept informed throughout the process.