Chapter 6: Pre-Hospital Care
Karen Piette
EMT’s and Paramedics communally work in ambulances and on fire apparatus to respond and transport patients to the hospital’s emergency department. Certain times due to the patient’s condition or the distance from the hospital alternative methods of transportation are needed. The most common are the use of Aeromedical helicopters, a type of air medical service. These are commonplace in most of the United States and developed world. The crew of medical helicopters is usually a total of three: a pilot and two medical crew members. Paramedics commonly serve as medical crew members and provide medical care. This team configuration varies depending on the need and location of the service. While a paramedic is common, the second crew member may be a nurse, physician or second paramedic.
Longer transports beyond the range of a helicopter require a fixed wing aircraft. These may be small single engine bush planes to corporate sized jets with a full-time medical configuration.
Boats are commonly used in areas with islands that require a transport to the mainland for care of the patients. While most critical patients will be transported via a helicopter, there are times where weather prohibits their use. In these situations, and those of a non-emergency nature a watercraft may be used.
Attributions
- Figure 6.5: image released under the Pexels License
Specialized vehicles equipped for transporting sick or injured patients to and from the hospital.
The use of air transportation including helicopters or airplanes to transport patients from accident scenes to healthcare facilities or between two healthcare facilities.