| When you call for an ambulance, you will first speak with a dispatcher who will take down some important information. This information includes your telephone number, name, location of event (including any important landmarks, color of house, etc.), and the nature of the emergency. It is important not to hang up the telephone until told to do so by the dispatcher. The dispatcher will then dispatch the appropriate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agency. In some cases the police and/or fire department may also respond as first responders. Don’t be afraid to call EMS because you don’t want a lot of people showing up at your house. They are here to help prepare you for transport to the hospital. Once the first medical responders have arrived, many things will begin to happen. You will be asked questions regarding your condition and based on the answers, treatment will begin. It is no longer just picking up someone and rushing them to the hospital. The EMS crews work and train with the hospitals and are operating under the Medical Control Physician’s license to provide this care. Many times providing early care before arriving at the hospital will greatly improve the chance for a quicker recovery than if you had waited to receive the same care at the hospital. Depending on what illness/injury you are experiencing, you will be placed on oxygen, a cardiac monitor, and your vital signs will be taken. You will be placed on a stretcher (or other device to get you to the stretcher) and moved to the ambulance. During transport, many of the same questions will be asked again to determine if the treatment is helping your situation. The crew will contact the hospital to advise them of what is going on and what care has been started. Don’t worry, your name will not be transmitted over the air. The hospital may suggest and/or approve any additional actions/treatments for the EMS crew to perform during the transport. Upon arrival at the hospital, you will be moved to a bed in the emergency department where the hospital staff will take a report from the EMS crew and assume care for you. |
