What Information Should You Give While Booking an Ambulance?

There are a number of factors beyond the control of an individual when an ambulance is needed. The details given during an ambulance booking call play a great role in determining how soon the proper ambulance can be dispatched. If callers mention the patient’s condition and the location, destination, and any medical needs of the patient, the ambulance crew can prepare much better in advance before they reach the patient.

 

When a patient needs oxygen support, cardiac monitoring, requires a ventilator, or needs a hospital-to-hospital transfer, it is extremely important for the caller to provide all the necessary details. Families are obviously very distressed and may not be in a position to provide all the necessary information. A simple guide with checklists can help during such stressful situations.

 

This guide provides what details you will be required to provide to ICU Ambulance for booking, and also the information the ambulance service may require from patients.

 

 

Why Is Correct Ambulance Booking Information Important?

Additional medical support may be necessary at any point during a passenger's journey with an ambulance. A passenger who requires mobility assistance may need a different ambulance from a passenger who is stable and has no special medical needs, for example, a patient who requires continuous monitoring and ventilation.

 

The booking system requires accuracy in order to assist the service to understand:

 

• The kind of ambulance needed
• If oxygen support is required
• If the patient is being monitored during transport
• If the patient is able to sit, stand, or walk, or if they should be transported on a stretcher
• The location of the patient
• The hospital or destination
• If the route is regional or distant

 

The purpose of the call is not to make a medical diagnosis, but for the caller to provide all the details available about the patient and the medical needs of the patient.

 

 

1. Tell the Ambulance Team the Patient's Current Condition

Describe the patient's condition in a sentence or two.

 

Patient example 1:

 

• Patient was conscious/unconscious
• Patient was having breathing difficulties/no/normal breathing
• Patient had an accident
• Patient had chest pain or known cardiac problem
• Patient had surgery recently
• Patient is bed bound
• Patient is on oxygen
• Patient is ventilated
• Patient needs to be monitored 24

 

If the situation is time-sensitive and you cannot provide a long description of the situation, give the important facts first.

 

If any doctors or hospitals have given instructions on how to transport the patient, then give them to the ambulance dispatch.

 

 

2. Mention the Type of Medical Support Required

The medical support needs of the patient are one of the key fields in the ambulance booking request form.

 

State the following so that the service provider knows:

 

• The patient requires oxygen support
• is on a cardiac monitor
• is on a ventilator
• requires stretcher transport
• requires continuous monitoring
• will need medical staff escort
• and other forms of support recommended by the treating facility.

 

For example, by stating “patient requires oxygen during transport, you are informing the ambulance team of this need.

 

Do not assume the equipment is the same among all ambulances. If a specific medical facility has advised a specific kind of ambulance, state your requirement while booking.

 

 

3. Give the Exact Pickup Location

Ambulance teams need more than just a general pickup location.

 

Please provide:

 

• Building/ Hospital name
• Complete Address
• Floors
• Landmark
• Gate or Entrance
• Name/ Contact
• Phone Number
• Issues accessing

 

If the patient is in a hospital, state the name of the hospital if known, along with the ward, room number, or emergency Department.

 

If it is a home pickup, let us know whether the patient is on the Ground floor or upper floors and if there is a lift. This Update would help the team in making the required preparations prior to arrival.

 

 

4. Share the Destination Hospital or Location

Booking a destination is just as important as booking everything else.

 

When you book an ambulance, you must tell them:

 

• Hospital or destination name
• Destination area (If it's vague, you can provide details later)
• Department, if it’s known (This isn’t always known)
• If the patient has been booked in
• If the transfer is from one hospital to another

 

If the patient is being transferred from one hospital to another, you should tell them it is an inter-hospital patient transfer.

 

In case hospital transfers are involved, different requests and logistics can come into play.

 

 

5. Tell Them Whether the Patient Can Walk or Needs a Stretcher

Not everyone can get into an ambulance without some help.

 

Tell the service if your patient:

 

• Can walk independently
• Needs assistance to walk
• Needs a wheelchair
• Must remain on a stretcher
• Is bedridden.
• Cannot be moved without medical assistance.

 

For bedridden or seriously ill patients, it is important that this information is provided. The ambulance staff must consider how to transfer the patient when they go to pick them up.

 

 

6. Mention the Patient's Age and Basic Details

Knowing a patient's age can help provide transportation for children and the elderly, as well as adults in critical condition.

 

You can provide:

 

• Approximate patient age
• Male, Female, or Child
• Major known medical condition
• Current medical support
• Any major mobility limitation

 

Please provide information only pertaining to the trip and transport.

 

 

7. Explain Whether This Is an Emergency or Planned Transfer

Clearly state whether your patient is in need of emergency transportation or a planned transfer.

 

Emergency booking: You have an immediately transported patient.

 

Planned transfer booking: You have a patient booked for a hospital transfer, discharge, investigations, or appointments.

 

This information is helpful to our service to prioritize their request.

 

Planned transfers should have a pick-up time booked in advance. This should not be done in a last-minute rush.

 

 

8. Keep a Contact Person Available

Site name and mobile number for availability with the ambulance team.

 

This person should be able to:

 

• Lead the Ambulance driver to the pick-up location
• Give Directions
• Confirm the patient’s condition
• Liaise with Hospital staff
• Take calls from the Ambulance staff
• Assist with entry or parking arrangement

 

Should there be somebody else traveling with the patient, please inform us during the booking time if it affects the service required.

 

 

9. Tell the Team About Special Transport Difficulties

Some scenarios are not as simple as just showing up.

 

Note the following:

 

• Patient is on a higher floor
• No lift
• Restricted vehicle access
• Pickup point in a small/narrow lane
• Ambulance cannot get to the pick-up point
• Patient is unable to move on his or her own
• Journey involves another city

 

All of these points, when provided, simply make the process easier.

 

 

Quick Checklist for Ambulance Booking

While waiting to speak with an ambulance, be sure to prepare the following information:

 

• Patient's condition
• Age/general patient information
• Oxygen/ventilator request
• Requires monitoring and/or other medical aid
• If the patient needs help and/or assistance to move: walking, in a wheelchair, or on a stretcher
• Full pick-up address
• Landmarks and entry point
• Destination hospital
• Whether the transfer is emergency or planned
• Name and phone number of the person who will  accompany the patient
• Whether there are any special access and movement concerns
• Any special instructions from the treating doctor, along with the medical supplies.

 

 Even if you don't remember it all, please give the most important information first, and follow the instructions of the Ambulance coordinator.

 

 

What Should You Not Do During an Ambulance Booking?

There are a few things that complicate the process. Here are a few to avoid.

 

Miscommunications are often a problem. Provide all relevant information for the patient being served. If the patient requires oxygen or is on a ventilator, be sure to include it in your report.

 

Don't provide your own medical opinion. Provide the information you obtained from the doctor or hospital as is.

 

Don't provide incomplete pickup instructions. If you say nothing but "Texas, we can still be looking for you up to 2 hrs before we cancel.

 

Don't wait to mention special requests. If the patient cannot self-ambulate, let us know on the initial booking call.

 

Don't provide extraneous details. When you are in a highly stressful, time-sensitive situation, be sure you explain information that pertains to how the team can provide the most appropriate transport.

 

 

Ambulance Booking for Hospital-to-Hospital Transfer

Hospital transfers are complex, as medical care is already in progress.

 

When booking an ambulance for a hospital transfer, you will be asked for:

 

• Current hospital
• Destination hospital
• Current medical state of the patient
• If the patient is being treated with any medical device.
• If the patient requires an oxygen or ventilator supply.
• If the patient has a doctor with instructions.
• If the patient is able to walk on their own.
• Time you would like the patient to be picked up.
• Your contact information to facilitate transfer coordination.

 

For a patient in critical condition, find out the level of transport support the medical team would recommend, if they can be disturbed for the purpose, prior to arranging the transfer.

 

 

Why Clear Information Helps ICU Ambulance

Each patient's circumstances are unique. When transporting patients that have unique conditions, the type of equipment that can be of use on an ambulance varies. ICU Ambulance specializes in patient transport that may require that the patient be offered additional medical support en route.

 

The best way to aid the transport planners in understanding the scope of your transportation needs is by explaining your needs and issues in detail when placing your booking.

 

Oxygen support, ventilator support, constant cardiac monitoring, and frequent observation of the patient throughout transport are examples of special supportive care that may be needed as part of the transportation.

 

 

Final Takeaway

The process of booking an ambulance is less complicated when the caller is prepared with the necessary information. The details that are of utmost importance include the patient's current condition, the type of medical support required, the pickup location, the destination, the patient’s mobility status, the level of urgency, and the contact details of the person providing the information.

 

The purpose of providing the information to book an ambulance is to help the service understand the patient’s needs regarding transportation in the most efficient manner.

 

Stay calm and give clear information to the medical or ambulance personnel who will provide you with the instructions to follow.

 

Book an Ambulance Quickly

 

Book an ICU Ambulance for hospital transfers, emergency transport, oxygen support, or the movement of a critically ill patient. Share the patient’s condition, the pickup location, destination, and the requested medical support.

 

CTA: Book an Ambulance Quickly

This article is not meant to provide medical advice. During patient transport, please refer to your team's medical professionals for all medical-related questions.