When elders are around, you never know when an emergency might arise needing medical transportation for seniors. The elder's state of emergency could be due to a fall, a stroke, or even a heart attack. Be it a home or elsewhere, the first thing you need is safe medical transportation of the senior to the hospital.

When you book for an ambulance for the elderly, there are a lot of things to consider. Apart from the facilities in the ambulance, many other factors like its response time and speedy access to the hospital are critical in ensuring that the elder is out of danger.

Here is an overview of the important aspects of Geriatric Medical Transportation.

Factors to consider while booking medical transportation for seniors

When a senior is in an emergency, all one does is panic and call an ambulance immediately. But the type of ambulance called and its efficiency plays a vital role in saving the elder's life. The following factors should be borne in mind while booking medical transportation for seniors .

1. Accessibility of the ambulance

The first thing to consider while booking the ambulance for seniors is its accessibility. Some ambulance services have a wide network and may be even available at your nearest area. This is the kind of ambulance you must call. It is futile to call an ambulance which does not serve your area or takes time in reaching you.

Your senior is in a critical condition and the sooner the ambulance gets to you, the better. That is why one must always choose an ambulance service that has a wide network and is easily accessible.

2. Response time of the ambulance

The ambulance you book for your senior must have the quickest response time. If you keep calling the ambulance and they do not respond or if they take time to reach you, the purpose is lost.

Always choose an EMS ambulance service that offers you the quickest response on call and which arrives at your doorstep in no time.

3. Quick access to hospitals

You have booked an ambulance for the purpose of shifting your senior to the hospital immediately. The ambulance you book must have access to the closest neighbourhood hospital and must get you there in no time.

Some ambulance services have connections with their own set of hospitals and prefer to take you there. But if your senior is suffering from a heart attack or an MI-myocardial infarction, he/she must be rushed to the nearest hospital immediately. If the ambulance service insists on taking you to their own hospital which is further away, then the senior's life is at risk.

Make sure that the ambulance you book for your senior has access to all the hospitals in and around you.

4. Facilities in the ambulance

While booking the ambulance for the senior. ensure that it is fully equipped with emergency medical support devices and clinical aids.

An efficient ambulance service must be equipped with stretchers, wheelchairs, first aid kits, IV drips, Oxygen cylinders, Thermometer, Sphygmomanometer, etc. Advanced Life Support equipment like Defibrillator, Ventilator, Pulse Oximeter, Infusion Pumps, etc should also be available. The ambulance should also have a team of trained nurses and attendants who are expert in life support and emergency care.

5. Special support for seniors

When seniors are in a state of emergency, the ambulance called must offer special support to the aged. It should have special amenities and equipment to care for the elderly keeping in mind their age and health condition. Special geriatric support equipment like scoop stretchers,  2 fold stretchers or 2-in-1 stretcher cum Wheelchair with drip and safety belt are a must in an ambulance for carrying seniors.

The ambulance should be compulsorily fitted with cardiac monitors, glucometers, airway management systems, etc to monitor the condition of the elderly.

When an ambulance is called to attend to a senior, it must come with seasoned nurses who have experience in handling older adults.

6. Safe medical transportation

An ambulance is called for the purpose of shifting the senior to a hospital. But does the ambulance service offer safe medical transportation? Are the ambulance safe drivers? Are the attendants experienced in handling emergencies? Is the vehicle safe? All these factors must be borne in mind in order to offer safe medical transportation  to the senior.

Ascertain all these factors before booking the ambulance for the senior. Be it an emergency or non-emergency ambulance,  choose the right one for your seniors keeping the above factors in mind.

Remember, nothing is costlier than life. Save your senior at all costs by providing safe medical transportation by choosing the right ambulance service.