Ambulance bus

An ambulance bus is a type of ambulance with the capacity to transport and treat multiple patients. An ambulance bus is used primarily for medical evacuation of mass casualty incidents[1][2] and non-emergency medical transport of care-dependent patients,[3] and can also be used for specific problems such as drunk patients in town centres.[4][5]

An ambulance bus in York Region, Canada

Applications

Mass casualty incident
An ambulance bus in Toronto, Canada

In the event of a major disaster or evacuation, an ambulance bus can be used to transport multiple patients to the hospital.[6] The vehicle may be equipped with advanced life support systems.[7] Likewise, during an evacuation in advance of a disaster, an ambulance bus can transfer patients in hospitals and nursing homes to care centers out of harm's way.[8]

Non-emergency transport

An ambulance bus can be used in a transport role to allow stretcher-bound patients to leave the hospital, such as taking excursions or holidays away from hospital, while still being able to provided with the necessary medical care during the journey.[3]

Conversion of existing vehicles

Existing vehicles like buses can be converted into an ambulance bus with the installation of an on-demand ambulance bus kit.[9] On-demand ambulance bus kits are installed inside any available vehicle on an as-needed basis when the need is anticipated in advance, like in the case of hurricanes or planned hospital maintenance. These kits can be installed temporarily or permanently.[10]

See also

References
  1. "High Point Regional Hospital tests its emergency preparedness". News 14 Carolina. Archived from the original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  2. "First Hospital-Based Mass Evacuation Bus in Hampton | First Line Tech". www.firstlinetech.com. Archived from the original on 2016-01-23. Retrieved 2015-08-05.
  3. "Questions and Answers". Jumbulance Travel Trust. Archived from the original on 2 July 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-02.
  4. "Ambulance crews prepare for party night pressure". London Ambulance Service. 2008-12-18.
  5. "Aboard the 'Booze Bus'". BBC News. 2007-12-17.
  6. "Alaska National Guardsman participate in mass casualty drill". Retrieved 2015-08-05.
  7. "High Point Regional Hospital tests its emergency preparedness". News 14 Carolina. Archived from the original on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  8. "Mass casualty ambulance bus". Sartin Services. Archived from the original on 2008-05-09.
  9. FERGUSON, JOHN WAYNE. "Galveston County OEM in the running for ambulance bus kit". The Daily News. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
  10. "Old school buses converted into ambulances to evacuate nursing homes". wusa9.com. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
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