Studies from 2021 showed that each ambulance serviced around 21,057 people in total. Each ambulance went on about 2,408 calls each year.
Ambulatory transportation is something that most people are familiar with. If you have health issues, you may have even needed to call an ambulance for transportation.
There are certain instances where this is a necessity. It is good to understand when you need ambulatory services or other options for medical transportation.
Keep reading to find out when you should call for ambulatory transportation services.
Ambulatory Transportation Vs Non-Emergency Transportation
When looking at medical transportation, you have two options. Patient transportation can be a bit confusing if you don’t know which option is best.
Non-emergency transportation is something that patients should also be aware of. There are many situations where this may be an ideal option.
Ambulatory Transportation
The main medical transportation option for patients is an ambulance. This is a good option since it is perfect for emergencies.
Patients are able to call 911 to request that an ambulance come to pick them up. It can pick them up from anywhere and redirect them to a hospital or emergency center.
The downside to ambulances is that they are quite expensive. These are only used in the case of an emergency when you need to get medical care.
Because of this, it is not an ideal option for just any kind of transportation.
Non-Emergency Transport
The next option vulnerable patients have is non-emergency transportation. The name is self-explanatory as it’s used for non-emergencies.
This is a kind of transportation that offers a lot of the same benefits as an ambulance. It is a type of medical transportation used to help patients that need medical care.
It provides safe transportation but is not used for emergencies. This transportation doesn’t have the resources if the patient needs immediate care.
Although, this type of transportation allows you to schedule it and have it pick you up. It is better for patients who are planning to get medical help at a certain date.
When to Use Ambulatory Transportation
Now that you know what ambulatory transportation is, how should you use it? This is important to know if this is something that you will need to utilize.
Non-emergency transportation is also something that can be very useful. There are certain instances where this is necessary instead of calling an ambulance.
Emergency Medical Needs
You need to call an ambulance for mobile patients if it is an emergency. An ambulance can help if someone is having a hard time breathing or is having a heart attack.
These are just two examples of medical emergencies that require an ambulance. Any life-threatening medical need is something that would require an ambulance.
This applies to people with health conditions and those who are healthy. An ambulance is very fast and is able to get to emergency care much faster than another vehicle.
Injury
An ambulance is also required if there is an injury that needs care. An elderly patient may have fallen, or someone may have broken their leg.
These are examples of injuries that may require you to call an ambulance. They will be able to get some medical care in the ambulance until they get to a hospital.
This can help to prevent further injury to the patient during transportation. It also ensures that they get medical care as soon as possible.
When to Use Non-Emergency Transportation
Non-emergency transportation is also something that can be very useful. There are certain instances where this should be used instead of calling an ambulance.
Although, it is very important that you do not use this service for emergencies. That is what ambulatory transportation is for, making it the best option.
That is why these two options cannot be used interchangeably.
Bed Bound Patient
Medical transportation can be used for patients who are not mobile. This would apply to any kind of patient who is unable to stand and walk for themselves.
They may have an injury, or they may not have the strength to walk. This is often used for patients who are overweight and unable to leave their beds.
This transportation option allows for stretcher transportation. A stretcher will be utilized to collect the patient from their home and take them to the vehicle.
They will then be dropped off at the medical center that they need to go to. Wheelchair transportation is also an option if the patient is able to stand and walk a little.
Medical Assistance
Nonemergency transportation is often used for basic medical assistance. This can be used for patients who have health conditions and need to get to their appointments.
They can schedule transportation that will come to pick them up and drop them off. This is often used for elderly people or those who are on dialysis.
It is a very safe option and provides medical assistance coming and going. This is ideal for those who cannot travel on their own or need help with walking and standing.
It can also be used for hospital discharge transportation if you don’t have other methods of getting home.
When Ambulatory Transportation is Necessary
If you have medical concerns, you may be wondering about ambulatory transportation. You may be wondering when you should use it and what it is created for.
The good news is that you have ambulatory transportation and nonemergency transportation. These are two options that should be used in different circumstances depending on your needs.
Do you need to schedule medical transportation? Contact us today at Affinity Transit to look at our transport services.