Time is of the essence in the case of medical emergencies. Emergency ambulance services refer to services that offer prompt and essential treatment for diseases and fast transfer to hospitals. It can be a road accident, heart attack, or any other mishap and the ambulance becomes the life saver from a life taker. In this blog, we’ll be explaining the role played by ambulances in society and how one can go about booking an ambulance service.
Why Are Ambulance Services Important?
Here are the reasons why ambulance services are important:
1. Timely Medical Care
In emergency situations, the response time is of greatest concern. Emergency cars, such as ambulances, are developed for rapid treatment of other health complications, more often right from the scene of the calamity. They are manned with personnel like paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who can attend to the injuries, treat the patient, and prevent the condition from worsening before getting to the hospital.
2. Quick and Safe Transportation
The services of an ambulance mean that patients should be taken to the hospital as soon as possible. Including control equipment and alarm devices, ambulances can deal with traffic obstacles and minimize the time to arrive at the location. It is especially essential for conditions like stroke, cases of heart attack, or severe injuries in which time is of the essence.
3. Medical Equipment Onboard
Some of the medical apparatuses, which are available in an ambulance, are oxygen cylinders, defibrillators, stretchers, and first aid boxes. They allow paramedics to deliver critical care during transport, making patients more stable on arrival to the hospital. Some of the sophisticated stretchers are professionally equipped as mobile intensive care units, or ICUs, to provide all levels of medical support while in transit.
4. Availability 24/7
Accidents happen unplanned, and so do all emergency services, which include the ambulance services. Ambulance services are available 24/7, which means they will be available to pick up patients whenever the emergency occurs. They also take their services to hard-to-reach parts of the country, to those who cannot be attended to by hospitals in big cities.
5. Reduced Mortality Rates
This is because ambulance services respond swiftly and offer specialized care in emergency situations, thus reducing mortality rates. For example, those with cardiac arrest, major trauma, and others, their lives are saved if they get timely help from ambulances.
Types of Ambulance Services
Emergency transportation is very important in the health delivery systems through the handling of numerous medical care emergencies depending on the needs of the patients. Here’s a look at the different types of ambulance services:
1. Basic Life Support
BLS ambulances belong to patients needing transportation with screen-level medical care. These ambulances include necessities such as oxygen cylinders and first aid boxes with the patient comfort during the transport.
2. ALS stands for Advanced Life Support.
ALS ambulatory services help clients who have serious conditions and have equipment including oxygen, defibrillators, ventilators, and cardiac monitoring products. These ambulances are staffed with paramedics and emergency medical technicians. However, it is also making critical interventions during transport to the hospital.
3. Air Ambulances
When it comes to urgent transport over relatively large distances, there can be no better solution than an air ambulance. These are actually airborne intensive care units complete with sophisticated equipment and experienced staff, used in hard-to-reach regions or for transplant cases.
4. Neonatal Ambulances
Neonatal ambulances are specifically intended for infants and newborns, and they come equipped with incubators, neonatal ventilators, and other neonatal equipment. They facilitate the transfer of babies who have complicated and sensitive medical needs.
Each type of ambulance service is relevant to cover certain requirements, so efficient medical help will be provided in case of emergencies.
Challenges experienced by ambulance services
It is evident that ambulance services are critical in the health sector, but they are comprised of numerous challenges that influence their operation.
1. Traffic Congestion
A common problem is the ability to move through traffic. Despite using sirens and other emergency signals, ambulances are most of the time delayed in reaching the patients or hospitals due to traffic jams, especially in urban areas. This can become crucial in the hemodynamic stabilization of the patient in life-threatening conditions.
2. Lack of Awareness
The general public is not fully informed regarding ambulance services, and this is evident in the rural and remote areas. This lack of knowledge may lead to late intervention during an emergency, aggravating the patient’s condition.
3. Limited Resources
In some regions it even lacks an adequate number of ambulances, medical equipment, and health care workers and personnel. This gap further makes it challenging to meet the high demand for emergency services since many patients are denied access to timely healthcare.
How to Book an Ambulance?
Dial the emergency number
For emergency ambulance service, dial 108 in India or 911 in the U.S. or 999 for round-the-clock services.
Online Booking
Go to the service provider’s official website, complete a questionnaire, and ask for live support right now.
Mobile Applications
Mobile apps for ambulance services for instant booking, tracking of the vehicle, and communication with the medical personnel.
Hospital Coordination
Consult with your hospital and many of them have contracts with ambulance services that can facilitate immediate transport.
Conclusion
Emergency services are an important component of our health care system. They administer crucial medical assistance, timely transportation, and, besides, are always on call, which makes them useful during emergencies. Knowing them ensures that we are always a call away should we encounter any of these situations in the future.
From injury on the athletic field to a severe medical emergency, an ambulance service responds as the first lifeline of support. Let us support their efforts and extend our hand in contributing to such needful services toward the achievement of a healthier and safer society.
