Many times, people suffer from ailments and find themselves in need of urgent admission to the hospital. Most of the time, these people do not have the strength to sit up and must be evacuated in a prone position. How do you effectively transport recumbent patients? Here are our tips.

1) Use Ambulance Transport

Ambulance transport is a good option for patients who are lying down. Constant supervision by a professional will be necessary until the patient arrives at the hospital. The patient will have to be taken very quickly to the nearest health center. His/her pathology must be taken into account during the transfer.

It is important to note that ambulance drivers who transport patients are required to meet a number of criteria. Therefore, only those who have a first aid certificate are allowed to perform this function. The training and development center for first aiders is the authority that issues this certificate.

Likewise, ambulances must meet the requirements imposed by the Minister of Public Health. Ambulance companies must provide excellent personnel (EMTs, paramedics, support staff, dispatchers) who can treat patients with compassion. They must be sensitive to patients’ needs. These medical transport personnel will focus on excellence in care and quality, treating patients with respect and giving them the individualized attention they deserve. Finally, it is necessary that the ambulance meets the external characteristics that have been defined by the Ministerial Order.

2) Use the Services of a 112 Ambulance

When a 112 ambulance is requested, the patient does not choose the health center to which he/she is taken. The dispatcher who is reached by telephone must immediately notify the nearest ambulance service that has a car. It is his responsibility to let the ambulance service know where the patient is. The caller should also identify the nearest health center with a specialized emergency department.

3) Rely on Helicopter Transport

Helicopters are the best solution for patients who are lying down and need to be transported to a hospital far from their location. The strength of this type of transportation is that it is efficient, reliable and fast. This provides the opportunity to maximize the chances of survival or recovery. In addition, the helicopter is able to land directly at the airstrip of the health center concerned or in the immediate vicinity.

4) Focus On Proximity and Quality for Younger Children

For children 14 years of age or younger, target the nearest health center that has a certified child illness service. Make sure to use child safety restraints – Without the use of child safety restraints, children may be physically injured by ambulances traveling at high speeds.  It is also essential to ensure the ambulance has a medical professional with experience in pediatric medical transport, as the health needs of children are very different from those of the elderly.

5) Transport the Patient to the Right Health Center

If there is an incident and several people need to be taken to the hospital at the same time, target not only the nearest hospital, but also the appropriate one. These are usually cases of concern that need high quality care.

The appropriate health centers are also the option to take when the attending considers that the patient, in view of his health condition, needs specific therapeutic means.

In addition, adequate health centers are to be used when the attending physician or the physician recommends another hospital that meets the requirements and already has a medical file related to the patient.

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