Most outlying communities are served by volunteer or contracted ambulance service.
Does it matter? On any given day people are blessed to be attended by any of these first responders.
I have no medical expertise. I encourage my clients who may need ambulance service for themselves or those who might visit them to find a qualified medical professional to help them evaluate available ambulance service. Some of the factors that might be reviewed include:
Where is the nearest ambulance located?
Where is the back up for that unit?
What equipment do these ambulances have?
What hospitals do these ambulances take patients to?
Is the cost of this ambulance service covered by Medicare or your insurance?
Are these stations manned full time?
What are the qualifications of those on ambulance duty at these stations? Here is an example (for illustration purposes only – do your own due diligence) of the differences in qualifications:
Emergency Care Attendant (ECA) - Skills include: CPR, bandaging and splinting, traction splints, mechanical aids to breathing (oxygen, bag-mask, suctioning, oral and nasal airways, pocket masks), patient assessment, vital signs, spinal immobilization. Hours of training: 40 minimum. Certification requirements: Minimum age 18, high school diploma or GED except for volunteers, basic skills proficiency verification by training program, First Responder exam administered by National Registry. Re-certification requirements: Required every four years. Option of 36 hours of continuing education, attending a re-certification course or National Registry assessment exam.
EMT-Basic - Skills include: CPR, bandaging and splinting, traction splints, mechanical aids to breathing (oxygen, bag-mask, suctioning, oral and nasal airways, pocket masks), patient assessment, vital signs, spinal immobilization, automated external defibrillation, pneumatic anti-shock garment, epinephrine auto-injector, nebulized bronchodilators. Hours of training: 140 minimum. Certification requirements: Minimum age 18, high school diploma or GED, EMT-Basic skills proficiency verification by training program, state-administered National Registry certification exam. Re-certification requirements: Required every four years. Option of 72 hours of continuing education, attending a re-certification course or National Registry assessment exam.
EMT-Intermediate - Skills include: All EMT-Basic skills, endotracheal intubation (adult and pediatric), non-visualized intubation, IV fluid therapy. Hours of training: 160 minimum. Certification requirements: Minimum age 18, high school diploma or GED, EMT-Basic and advanced skills proficiency verification by training program medical director, EMT-I/85 written and practical exam administered by National Registry. Re-certification requirements: Required every four years. Option of 108 hours of continuing education, attending a re-certification course, obtaining National Registry EMT-Intermediate certification or National Registry assessment exam.
EMT-Paramedic - Skills include: All EMT-Basic and EMT-Intermediate skills, parenteral drug administration (IV, IV drip, IM , SC , ET), EKG interpretation, cardioversion, cardiac arrest simulation (megacode). Hours of training: 624 minimum (including didactic, hospital clinical and MICU ambulance internship). Certification requirements: Minimum age 18, high school diploma or GED, EMT-Basic, Intermediate and Paramedic skills proficiency verification by training program medical director, written and practical exam administered by National Registry. Re-certification requirements: Required every four years. Option of 144 hours continuing education, attending a re-certification course, obtaining National Registry EMT-Paramedic certification or National Registry assessment exam.
Licensed Paramedic - Skills include: Same as EMT-Paramedic, but requires an associate's degree or higher in paramedicine. Re-licensure required every four years. Option of 144 hours continuing education (with a 60-hour substitution allowed for approved course of study from an institution of higher learning that is pertinent to paramedicine), attending a re-certification course, obtaining National Registry EMT-Paramedic certification or National Registry assessment exam.
For most buyers this topic is not a deal breaker. But for some clients it can make a life and death difference. For more information call me at 281-704-0641 or email at dg93@sbcglobal.net
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