When it comes to national preparedness, Finland has set a new standard—one that extends far beyond its own borders. Finland took preparedness one step further, ensuring that their EpiShuttle network also strengthens EU frontline response. But how did Finland go from local implementation to a key player in European medical preparedness?

Building a nationwide preparedness network

It all started with the university hospitals from the Finnish Hospital University System (HUS) allocating several EpiShuttles for preparedness across all reference hospitals in Finland.

The procurement of the first EpiShuttles was financed by the Finnish Government and steered by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Their decision was driven by a need for reliability, flexibility, and safety:

“We are implementing a highly efficient tool to transport patients with highly contagious disease, or chemical, biological, or other contamination necessitating isolation. The single patient isolation and transport unit is designed to provide maximum public safety while allowing critical care and treatment to be performed on the contaminated patient inside. The unit can be used for patient transport through air, land, and sea in collaboration with the Finnish Border Guard and Defence Force units when needed, keeping society safe.” 

Tom Silfvast, Chief Medical Officer at the Preparedness Unit at Helsinki University Hospital 

Healthcare systems have to address challenges like long-distance transport, resource constraints and the need for quick response times. Disinfection procedures for ambulances, helicopters, and aircraft can slow down emergency medical logistics. The EpiShuttle mitigates these challenges, helping to maintain operational capacity.

“With this new technology we stand better prepared for a new pandemic. Contagious patient logistics are complicated. Finland has a lot of remote areas, and transporting contagious patients fast over long distances, into hospitals for treatment is a severe challenge. Time-consuming disinfection procedures of helicopters, aircraft and ambulances after each transport threaten capacity. Not knowing what comes next, the EpiShuttle is our best option. We now stand ready to deploy if needed.” 

Sanna Hoppu, Associate Professor and Chief Physician at Tampere University Hospital 

From national to European preparedness

Finland’s EpiShuttle implementation stepped up for European preparedness. In late 2023, RescEU launched its first-ever Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Strategic Reserve, with Finland’s National Emergency Supply Agency  assigned to lead the process of stockpiling critical medical equipment.

The EpiShuttle was chosen as the patient isolation transport unit for the RescEU’s CBRN Strategic Reserve. With Finland as the key actor in ensuring implementation in Europe, more EpiShuttles were added to the stockpile.

At EpiGuard, we go beyond just supplying the equipment. We partner with healthcare providers to ensure they are fully trained and confident in using the EpiShuttle in real-world scenarios. Finland has embraced this partnership, prioritizing both training and operational excellence.

(Epi)Training for new challenges

Since 2021, Finnish HUS hospitals and their counterparts at the National Emergency Supply Agency have been committed to their EpiShuttle training strategy. First, local EpiShuttle users at reference hospitals were trained in several cohorts.

Fast forward to 2024, the recent developments with RescEU’s CBRN stockpiling called for a new round of targeted, customized trainings to address the challenges ahead. So far, this included a two-day EpiShuttle training and one-day Train The Trainer with focus on simulation, discussions on teaching methods and strategizing transport planning. This is just the kick-off of a lasting partnership based on rigorous preparedness, mutual learning and pursue of excellence between EpiGuard and the RescEU Finnish teams.

The future of preparedness

Preparedness doesn’t stop at national borders. As healthcare systems around the world face increasingly complex challenges, cross-border collaboration is essential. Finland has demonstrated that investing in training, equipment, and strategic planning can create a ripple effect—one that strengthens not just one country, but an entire region.

When preparedness is prioritized, lives are protected.

Are you ready to strengthen your emergency response? Contact us to learn more about how EpiShuttle and EpiGuard can support your preparedness strategy.