Ambulance services are an integral part of emergency medical services. In an intense medical emergency, the arrival of immediate help and an ambulance can make the difference between life and death. Ambulances equipped with life-saving tools and cutting-edge devices can help patients in need with the help they require at the right time. Ambulance services staff highly qualified and well-trained medical professionals, paramedics and emergency medical technicians, especially educated to provide trauma aid. These make ambulance services vital. In emergencies, when every second has its value, ambulance services can be a literal lifeline that connects suffering patients to emergency medical services.
Every place where many people are gathered should have an ambulance on site. Most ambulance service providers offer ambulance subscription services for offices and large organizations to safeguard the health of their employees and be prepared for emergencies.
In this blog, we will look into the various kinds of ambulance service equipment, the importance of ambulance services and how increasing its accessibility and efficiency can improve the quality of emergency medical services in India.
Importance of Ambulance Services
The importance of ambulance services in providing immediate critical care is paramount. Let us look into some important functions that ambulance services serve.
- Quick Response: Emergency ambulance services are important in critical medical emergency situations as they provide quick response and help to those in need. Immediate medical assistance provided at the right time can be life-saving and also help improve patient outcomes.
- Dedicated Care: Ambulances have medical personnel trained to provide immediate care and treatment on the emergency scene, as well as advanced medical assistance if required. Not only immediate care but emergency ambulance services provide a safe haven to the patients by offering continuous pre-hospital care like administering medications, managing airways, controlling bleeding, CPR and other interventions.
- Safe Transportation: Emergency ambulance services help in safely transporting the patients to the medical facility in a timely manner. In intense and critical medical emergencies it is important to get the patient to the hospital with specialized care, which is otherwise not possible in a normal vehicle. Even in the hospitals, there are specialized emergency personnel/ ambulance crews to enable a seamless transition of care.
- Community Empowerment: In natural disasters ambulance services can be of great help to rescue and provide medical aid to victims. More than providing emergency response, care and treatment, ambulance services play an important role in community outreach and educating people on topics related to emergency medicine. Ambulance services can also empower the community by teaching them life-saving skills and knowledge.
These are the ways in which ambulance services help treat patients in need, provide them with safe transport, and empower and build resilient communities.
The Main Challenge in Ambulance Services
The Paramedics Challenge — one of the biggest challenges the emergency medical services sector in India faces is the lack of trained emergency staff to aid with medical emergencies and trauma cases. Improvement in emergency medical training and the build-up of resources can help train more people to become paramedics and emergency medical technicians. Emergency medical education can be improved to cater to this challenge, and more people can be encouraged to take up this rewarding career option. In addition to having trained paramedics, there are also logistical challenges and communication difficulties that the existing staff face, which affect the speed, quality, and efficiency of emergency medical services in India.
Impact of Emergency Services
Good emergency services can make a great difference in bringing important and swift medical resources to patients in need during difficult times. This can make the difference between life and death.
Understanding Emergency Ambulance Services
Equipment With Its Applications
ECG Monitor and Defibrillator: The electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor is a device that is used to monitor a patient’s heart activity and the defibrillator is used to deliver electric shocks to restore their heart’s rhythm to normal.
Spinal Board: A spinal board is a long flat board which is made of wood or plastic to support patients/ victims of a spinal injury. It helps to immobilize the spine making sure that the patient’s condition remains stable and to avoid further damage during transportation to the medical facility.
Bed or Stretcher Equipment: Beds and stretchers are used to provide the patient with comfortable transport. Beds and stretchers are used in the medical facilities to transport patients internally. They are also used in ambulances to provide a stable and safe transfer.
Transport Ventilators: Transport ventilators are designed to be used during patient transport. They are portable mechanical ventilators that can support patients who have difficulty breathing on their own.
Infusion Syringe Pumps: Not only emergency ambulance services, but also hospitals have this medical device. Infusion syringe pumps are used to deliver fluids, medications, and nutrients into the patient’s bloodstream.
Nebulizer: A nebulizer in ambulance services is a small device that can convert liquid medications into mist so that it can be inhaled by the patient easily. Medications can also be given to the patients suffering from asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Sphygmomanometer: A commonly seen and used device, a sphygmomanometer or a blood pressure monitor is a device used to measure blood pressure easily.
FAQs
- What is an emergency ambulance service?
An emergency ambulance service is a transportation service that can provide emergency medical aid and safe transportation to a medical facility in case of emergencies.
2 . When should I call for an emergency ambulance service?
In a situation where you or someone around you is experiencing a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention, you should call for the emergency ambulance service.
3 . How quickly will an emergency ambulance service arrive after I call?
It takes an average of 15-20 minutes for an emergency ambulance service to arrive at the location of the emergency. This can vary depending on various factors like traffic conditions, the location of the patient, etc.
4 . What should I do while waiting for an emergency ambulance to arrive?
You should make sure that the patient’s condition is stabilized and follow the instructions provided by the personnel when you request an ambulance. Remain calm and monitor the patient until the ambulance arrives.