An ambulance is one of the first emergency services usually called in case of a medical emergency and provides treatment if required. Thus, it is necessary that the ambulance is well equipped to handle the emergency it is called for. As with most vehicles, different types of ambulances are used for different types of emergencies. Some might be required to provide life-saving medical treatment while others are just used to transport a patient from one location to the other.
Ambulances can either be used for non-emergency single or multi-patient transport, or basic life support, or advanced life support and need to be fitted with equipment that is necessary for that. Most countries have a list of equipment that all ambulances must carry before they can be approved. However, the following are the top 11 equipment any ambulance should carry.
Patient Monitor:
Portable patient monitors are used to measure, record, and display biometric values such as blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate to help with a diagnosis on the field. This is very useful when there is a patient who complains of chest pain or while transporting patients in distress. Being able to monitor such vitals on the move helps paramedics make critical life-saving decisions while transporting the patients or at remote locations.
Defibrillator:
All ambulances need to be equipped with an automated external defibrillator (AED) or a portable defibrillator. A defibrillator is used when the patient is undergoing a cardiac arrest or needs to be resuscitated so as to bring the heart’s electrical impulses back to normal.
Transport Ventilators:
Ventilators are used when a patient has difficulty breathing or cannot breathe at all. A ventilator attached to an oxygen cylinder pushes air into the lungs at a rate and depth that is necessary for the patient. Ventilators are used in the place of manual ventilation or bagging.
Bag Valve Mask (BVM):
Bag valve masks or BVM are used to help patients who have difficulty breathing to get oxygen to their lungs. The BVM is used by connecting it to a mask which is then placed over the mouth for ventilation. It is important that a tight seal is created between the face of the person and the mask so that proper ventilation can be provided.
Cot, Patient Shifting Rolls, and Ambulance Chair, Trauma/ Spinal Board, and Cervical Collar:
Cots are used to transport patients who are unable to move or might further worsen their condition in case of movement. Spinal boards and cervical collars are necessary to transport patients who have injured their spine or have neck or head injury. However, most patients will require an ambulance chair to be moved in and out of the ambulance with relative safety.
Suction Unit:
Suction units are used to remove fluid build-up inside the body which could also lead to breathing issues. The suction tube is put down the windpipe and then used to remove the fluid built-up. It is also used to remove fluids that are putting pressure on vital internal organs.
Medication Bag:
It is very important that all ambulances always carry emergency pain relief and life-saving medication on board in a medication bag. The medication bag is equipped with multiple compartments and straps that help keep the medication organized and easily accessible in the case of an emergency.
Oxygen Supply Units:
Oxygen supply units are very important in any ambulance especially in case of emergency with patients who have difficulty with breathing. They can be used for victims of fire, asthma patients, or for reviving collapsed patients.
Nebulizer:
Nebulizers are used to vaporize liquid medication for the patients to inhale the medication on the way to the hospital through a facemask or a mouthpiece. These are good for providing critically ill patients immediate relief on the way to the hospital.
Haemoglucometer (HGT):
A Haemoglucometer or HGT is used by paramedics to measure the blood sugar levels of patients in case of emergencies or on the way to the hospital. Patient sugar can be measured by putting a drop of blood on the disposable strip after which paramedics can stabilize it depending on the reading.
Rescue Splints and Bandages:
Rescue splints and bandages are another important piece of equipment in any ambulance during emergencies. They help to immobilize broken joints or bones and come in various shapes and lengths to best match the fracture.
It could be very confusing when selecting the right equipment for your ambulance. Heal ME Mobility can help guide you through the process and select the right equipment for you as well as procure them and install them at affordable rates. Get in touch with Heal ME Mobility to find out more about ambulance equipment procurement and installation.
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