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| TransCare Ambulance St. Luke West |
TransCare
provides 24-hour basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS)
ambulance transportation to move patients to, from or between:
Hospitals
Medical
testing or treatment facilities, such as MRI or dialysis
Long-term
care centers
Their
homes
Frequently
Asked Questions
What
is the difference between BLS and ALS transportation?
Why
are people transported by ambulance?
What
can I expect during ambulance transportation?
What
medical skills can EMTs perform?
What
medical skills can Paramedics perform?
What
is the difference between BLS and ALS transportation?
BLS patients are not connected to IVs, monitors or other medical equipment. They are generally transported by 2 EMTs.
ALS
patients are connected to IVs, monitors or other medical equipment. They
are typically transported by 1 Paramedic and 1 EMT. At least 1 Paramedic
is required for ALS transportation.
Why are people transported by ambulance?
Medical
condition is too serious for other transportation
Can’t
walk, stand or sit
Must
remain connected to IVs, monitors or other medical equipment
Necessary
treatment is available at another facility
To
provide a continuum of care between facilities
What
can I expect during ambulance transportation?
Assistance
to stretcher
Transport
to an ambulance on stretcher by TransCare staff
Monitoring
and treatment (if necessary) en route
Moved
by stretcher into hospital, facility or residence
Assistance
from stretcher to bed, etc
What
medical skills can EMTs perform?
EMTs may ask a
series of questions to determine medical history. They also can:
Measure
blood pressure
Take
pulse
Determine
respiration (breathing) rate
Measure
oxygen level in blood, externally
Provide
oxygen
Administer
automatic external defibrillator (AED)—to reset heart rhythm
What
medical skills can Paramedics perform?
Paramedics will ask a
series of questions to determine medical history. In addition to the skills EMTs
can perform, Paramedics also can:
Start,
monitor and remove
IVs
Administer
medications
Monitor
cardiac (heart) rhythms
Perform
intubations—to open airways
Administer
manual defibrillation—to reset heart rhythm
Copyright 2008 TransCare of Kentucky, Inc.