Can you trust your local ambulance company?
CAN YOU TRUST YOUR LOCAL AMBULANCE COMPANY?
To find out how your town’s Emergency Medical Services system measures up, contact local EMS directors or providers. The following features, say the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services and George Washington University professor Gregg Margolis, are key:
A communications center that provides pre-arrival first aid instructions so callers can act before EMS gets to your house.
In life-threatening situations, a response time of less than nine minutes at least 90 percent of the time. (In rural areas, this may not be possible)
At least two EMT’s assigned to each ambulance; if your call warrants it, one should be certified in advanced life support.
Ambulances must be outfitted with equipment for resuscitation, immobilization, oxygen delivery, hospital communications, and protective personal infection control, as well as a defibrillator, medicines, IV solutions, a stethoscope, blood pressure cuffs, bandages, and an OB delivery kit.
Required to use seat belts, unless it would interfere with patient care. Use of child safety seats and securing of all equipment.
If your company doesn’t made the grade? Get in touch with your HMO or insurance carrier, hospitals, and nursing homes. You can also contact your state EMS director.
