SA Firefighter

Hello Forum Members,

With due regard to the use of disposable paper sheets in ambulance.

Let me assure you that the use of dispoasable paper sheets and pillow cases (even draw sheets) are common with advanced ambulance services interstate and overseas. Have a think why and you may just understand a bit about cost savings, not using hospital linen, (costing hospital budgets) and that wonderful statement 'Infection Control'. I am sure every self respecting ambo would understand the protocols in regard to 'VRE' 'MSRA' and many other little things we can pick up if we do not exercise basic skills and the obvious "every patient is a infectious risk regardless', thus the use of disposable paper products. Had an x'ray lately, they use them.

Regards

Kellyp

I still think that orderlies escorting ambulance personnel is the best option. That way the attending ambo can get a handover from the nurse while the orderly and the other ambo get the pt ready with the nursing staff.
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Hello,
May I suggest you visit the Victorian model. Ambo's (para's) retreive Patients for transport direct from hospital wards and or 'Transit Lounge' and the attending nurse provide a full handover and subsequent paperwork is supplied either by the attending nurse or ward clerk. Note 'Transit Lounge'. These lounges are pretty much similar to a hospital ward where patient that are waiting or have been to appointments will enjoy the courtesy of a cup of beverage and some nourishment (even lunch) while being observed by nurses. The patient are looked after right up to when the lounge closes and then a patient still waiting may be transferred to the emergency dept to wait for transport. It works extremely well and orderlies work with the nurses seamlessly assisting in transferring Pt on to beds/stretcher/wheelchairs.

Regards
Kelly

To be a medical vehicle and be able to use red and blue lights, you have to be able to be registered as an ambulance vehicle.
Well Well,

While I do not profess to know all rules and regulations pertaining to operational ambulances, I do know that the private PTV are equipped to National Ambulance Standards and could possibly embarrass the B/Whites with staowage/equipment/expertise. This is not a fighting match about who is better than who but we all do have to remember that any company that applies for a SA licence must adhere to the SA Government licencing requirements. There is no excuse for failure, it matters not what a law states when human life becomes a liability. Private licensed PTV's work with and alongside government ambulance services in other states of Australia and will do so in SA providing much needed transport relief in many multiple emergency situations, (remember government ambulances are equipped with only a single stretcher) with additional ambulance beds to transport triaged patients to hospital ED's allowing government ambulance crews to concentrate on the serious emergency patients. There will never be enough ambulances in SA or any other state of Australia and while negative attitudes persist in the wonderful state of SA and the failings of former black and whites (commonly mentioned in these columns as Jack's) SA in its absolute glory will never get ahead and become the most inventive and skilled operational ambulance service in Australia.
With regard to parading down Willaim Street, this laughable to even suggest that private PTV's would even consider same let alone with red and blues. The private PTV's are fully aware what their independent licinse allows and they will never be first line emergency vehicles.

regards
 Kellyp

Hello again,
Please do not take offence at my reply.
I have been trying to find details of the National legislation regarding ambulances and lights. however, each state has it own laws governing lights and sirens and would only use any National Legislation as a template for their own state.
My comment was not meant to deride the state or national law but to bring to the attention of your members that private PTV's offer the service that Emergency units should not be doing (general patient transport) and thats that. The private PTV's do everything that is required (and more in some cases) to ensure a patient is transported in the safest and caring manner and should ever the unthinkable occur then the private PTV's are capable and should have backup from the state emergency services plus SAAS and Red or Red  & Blue lights would assist in locating the PTV. Yellow lights are for the breakdown vehicles, rubbish truck and the like. Hardly for ambulance (emergency or not). Imagine an incident occurring on the highway, there are vehicles attending (all with yellow lights) and a PTV's is on site attending with yellow or none. Time is of the essence in any life threatening situation and for any ambulance to searching for the target is a waste of time. A coroners court is not a nice place to argue the merits of national laws or who has what colour emergency lights.