Medical transports are services for the safe and quick transportation of individuals, facilities and communities in need of health services to and fro different health cares. Over the years, medical transport has helped save a lot of lives. It is necessary for helping individuals access the needed medical care and thus helps in improving their quality of life. Also, reduce medical emergencies and the extra costs associated with it. Medical transport services are provided by government, charity organizations, companies, volunteers and even private agencies.
Non-emergency medical transportation refers to the transportation of individuals who do not have free access to medical facility transportation. It is particularly meant for the elderly, disabled and poor in the society. In most cases, it utilizes the use of stretchers and wheelchairs to aid movement of the patients.
Ambulances are vehicles meant for the transportation of patients to health care facilities. They include both ground and air ambulances. Patients are transported in ambulances only if other methods of transport maybe harmful to them or when they are in-patients to an acute medical facility.
Long distance patient transport involves the transportation of patients across a wide areas to access medical treatment. There are two basic types of long distance patient transport. They include emergency and non-emergency long distance patient transport services.
In emergency long distance patient transport, helicopter ambulances are used. The ambulance helicopters cover a wider geographical area per minute as compared to ground ambulances. This feature makes them most suitable for emergency health transportation. Also, they make it possible to rescue people in inaccessible areas. Emergency ambulances are assigned an emergency medical technicians and medical care assistant who are in treatment of patients before they reach a health care facility.
Long distance patient transport may also be for non-emergency situations. The vehicles used for this transportation are designed in such a way that they enhance comfort of the patient during transport. Also, they are designed to access any area regardless of the weather.
Various medical transportation needs
One of the basic transportation needs in medical transport is a stretcher. A stretcher is used in emergency cases to facilitate the use of other modes of transport. Mostly, it is used if the patient has an acute illness or was in a serious accident. However, stretchers may also be used in non-emergency situations. This is especially if it has been specified that the patient should only be moved in a stretcher.
Also, important in medical transportation, is technicians, nurses and medical care assistants. They give the required treatment to patients, keeping them alive before they get to the medical facility.
Medical transport channels need to be fitted with visual and audible warnings. This is to alert people on the presence of the ambulance on the road.
It is also important that medical transports have proper air conditioning. This is to provide patients with the right temperatures required for treatment.
Conclusion
The invention of the wheel was possibly the first machine that improved medical patient transport. Since then, the advances in medicine have not always kept up with the advances in transportation technology. We can hurl human beings down the road faster than ever. We have not quite gained that expertise in medical knowledge, we cannot always fix someone broken in a transportation accident.