Medical Transport Service Inc
Proudly Serving Allegany County Since 1979
The advanced life support (ALS) ambulance transport must meet the same criteria as basic life support (BLS) in addition to having specialized life sustaining equipment, which includes telecommunications equipment, at a minimum, one two-way voice radio or wireless telephone. Typical of this type of ambulance are mobile coronary care units and other ambulance vehicles that are appropriately equipped and staffed by personnel trained and authorized to administer intravenous therapy (IVs), provide anti-shock trousers, establish and maintain a patient’s airway, defibrillate the heart, stabilize pneumothorax conditions and perform other advanced life support procedures or services, such as cardiac (EKG) monitoring.
Intercept services are advanced life support (ALS) services delivered by Critical Care or Paramedic’s that operate separately from the agency that provides the ambulance transport. This type of service is most often provided for an emergency ambulance transport in which a local volunteer ambulance that can provide only basic life support (BLS) level service is dispatched to transport a patient. If the patient needs ALS services such as EKG monitoring, chest decompression, or IV therapy, we dispatch a ALS Unit to meet the BLS ambulance at the scene or once the ambulance is on the way to the hospital. The ALS Unit then provide their services to the patient.
A basic life support (BLS) ambulance is one that provides ground transportation plus the equipment and staff without the use of advanced therapeutic interventions. Such basic skills include airway management (oral and nasal airways, bag-valve-mask ventilation), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), hemorrhage control, treatment for shock, fracture and spine immobilization, and childbirth assistance. Defibrillation using an automated external defibrillator (AED)
A basic life support (BLS) ambulance is for non-emergent transport when the patient is fully bed confined and has a clinical condition such that the use of any other method of transportation, such as taxi, private car, Medi-car, wheelchair coach, or other type of vehicle would be contraindicated. (i.e., would endanger the patient’s medical condition), whether or not such other transportation is actually available. Ambulance services are frequently the initial step in the chain of delivery of quality medical care. They involve the assessment and administration of medical care by trained personnel and transportation of patients within an appropriate, safe and monitored environment. The patient’s condition at the time of the transport is the determining factor in whether a trip is necessary.