Staff Writer
EL DORADO — “Hundreds and thousands of times each year in our community people have to rely on the medical transportation provided by EMS, or Emergency Medical Services,” Ken Kelley, owner of ProMed Ambulance, said during the OWLS (Older Wiser Livelier Seniors) meeting Tuesday at HealthWorks Fitness Center in El Dorado.
“People know its there, but they hope they never have to use it,” he said.
Kelley discussed how people can pre-plan for an emergency in which they need an ambulance for transportation.
“Nobody probably woke up today and said ‘Hey, I think I’ll use an ambulance today’,” Kelley said.
“We are the deliverer of pre-hospital healthcare. We take a lot of the same things that would normally take place in the emergency room and, instead of waiting until you get to the hospital, we bring those things to the scene.”
When someone calls 911, the dispatcher questions the caller to determine the level of emergency so that the appropriate number of resources will be sent.
One ambulance is always dispatched on a call, but first responders, typically from the volunteer fire departments in Union County, may be sent on the call. First responders can often arrive on the scene faster and will assess the scene, stabilize the patient and report to the ambulance en route.
The dispatcher can also determine if specialized equipment is needed. Depending on the type of emergency, 911 will prioritize what resources need to be sent to the scene.
If you are involved in an emergency, Kelley recommended staying calm, turning a porch light on and having someone watch for responders.
The caller can expect several questions from the dispatcher to be asked in order of importance.
The dispatcher will first ask what is the exact location of the emergency. If something happens to the call, the dispatcher will know where to send responders.
Other information the dispatcher asks for includes a call back number, what the medical problem or injury is, the age of the patient, number of patients and if there are scene hazards.
The caller should wait for the dispatcher to say it is OK to hang up even if it seems they have quit talking as they are likely relaying information to first responders.
Though people often do not expect to need an ambulance, planning for an emergency is helpful and there are a few steps you can take to help everyone involved.
Ambulances look at mailboxes to find the address of the caller since it is the closest point of contact to the road. Numbers need to be clear and easily read from both sides.
If using the stick-on address decals, homeowners need to purchase numbers that are at least four inches tall, Kelley advised.
The hanging address plates that attach to the bottom of mailboxes are also easily read by drivers. It is best to purchase a sign that is reflective with white lettering on a dark background.
If someone chooses not to display their 911 address on their mailbox, the numbers need to be displayed by the front door since it is a focal point for the home.
In rural areas especially, people need to know how to give directions to their homes based on landmarks.
Another planning resource is Vial of Life. The website vialoflife.com provides free printable forms that people can fill out with pertinent medical information including treating doctors, medical history and medication.
The form should be placed in an old prescription bottle and kept with other medications so that paramedics and EMTs will have it in an emergency.
If the patient is incoherent, first responders and the hospital will have a background on the patient.
“The more that we know about the situation, the more prepared we can be to take certain actions or steps,” Kelley said. “If you are able or another person is present, pets need to be secured.
“This is for your pet’s protection,” Kelley said. “They are just as important to you and they are just as important to us. The last thing we want to do is have a pet escape while we have doors open and are bringing the cot indoors. Then we’re out there trying to catch the pet.”
Other pets can be perceived as a hazard and the crew at ProMed would prefer to not have to use pet spray on the animal, Kelley said.
Once the ambulance is on the scene, a thorough assessment must be done including a full battery of questions.
Kelley said he understands that it can be frustrating when the ambulance has loaded the patient but is still in the driveway. However, this is for the benefit of the patient as it allows diagnostic equipment to be used in a stable environment.
“I can assure you, care is taking place,” Kelley said. “They are doing the same level of diagnostic care as they would going down the road.”
Then, the paramedics will offer life support and use diagnostic equipment. All ambulances are licensed to provide advanced life support with a paramedic, can provide diagnostic testing and carry emergency medication.
ProMed also has partnered with the stroke and cardiac programs at Medical Center of South Arkansas that offers patients life saving support.
During cardiac events, ProMed utilizes a Fast ECG that transmits EKG results to the hospital often before the ambulance has ever left the scene.
“They are able to look at that EKG,” Kelley said. “Then, they can decide, do we stop in the emergency room or do we go straight to the cardiac cath lab? That can be a savings of about 15 to 20 minutes that it takes to get blood flow back to your heart.”
Using the FAST (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911) Stroke Exam, ProMed can access the stroke network and activate RSAVES, the telemedicine program at UAMS.
When the patient reaches the hospital, a cart equipped with a monitor and camera will be placed at the foot of the bed and connected to a doctor in Little Rock who can check the patient in real time.
ProMed also offers ProCare Plus, a medical alert monitor and ProMed Priority Care, a yearly membership program that helps with the cost of using an ambulance.
The foundation of ProMed is compassion, dedication and community support. They recognize the vulnerability of being in an emergency and want to provide exceptional care for all who call 911, Kelley said.
LeeAnn Jones may be reached at 870-862-6611 or by email at [email protected].